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COPYRIGHT DEPOSnV 




Augustus Si. Gaudcns 
STATUE OF LINCOLN, LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO 



LINCOLN DAY 
ENTERTAINMENTS 

RECITATIONS, PLAYS, DIALOGUES, DRILLS, 
TABLEAUX, PANTOMIMES, QUOTATIONS, 
SONGS, TRIBUTES, STORIES, FACTS 



EDITED BY 

JOS. C. SINDELAR 



A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 
CHICAGO 



^t^l 



,5g\ 



LIBRARY of CONGRES 
Two CoDies Received 

JAN 9 1909 

,K Copyiifciii entry _ 
CLASS au XXc, Nil, 
COPY ».' ^ 



1 



Copyright, 1908 

BY 

A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 



PREFACE 

IT IS especially fitting to issue this book — in fact, any 
book on the life and work of Abraham Lincoln — at 
this time, just preceding the centennial of his birth. 
Insignificant as the little volume maj seem, it will have 
earned its right to publication if it brings in whatever 
small measure, before the growing mind of the country 
a better realization of the grand life of the noble Lincoln 
— the loved and martyred President — inspired by God 
and divinely prepared for a great purpose : to guard and 
preserve a free and united country. 

One hundred years seem but a day! One thousand 
years hence a deeper feeling will be felt for everything 
concerning Lincoln, as with each passing year he grows 
in the affections of the people. His body is dead, but his 
memory will live in the hearts of the people as long as 
our country shall cherish freedom and liberty. He was a 
born king of men, with an intense and yearning love for 
his fellows and their welfare, which knew neither rank, 
race, nor creed, but gathered within its boundless charity 
all mankind. 

What a shining example this simple but sublime life 
offers to our growing youth! Born of humble parents, 
surrounded by poverty and hardships such as we seldom 
encounter today, his rise to the highest position in the 
gift of the American people — which position he not only 
ably filled but highly honored — is a grand illustration of 
persistence and ambition; ambition, though, tempered 
with foresight and wisdom. His was an exemplary char- 
acter : a character which for quaint simplicity, earnest- 
ness, kindness, truthfulness and purity has never been sur- 
passed among the historic personages of the world. His 
figure, too, more than any other in the history of our 
country, illustrates that America is the land of opportun- 

3 



4 PREFACE 

ity. In short, to us he is the representative and typical 
American. 

He missed the poHsh that higher education affords, 
poHsh though he needed not. What would not this coun- 
try, with all its bright and polished men, give today for 
another man of rugged education, rugged honesty and 
rugged foresight and wisdom as was Abraham Lincoln? 
It is hard to measure the usefulness of the life of such a 
man, yet more hard to do his memory justice. Great 
qualities of heart and head did he possess, of patience, 
patriotism, and piety, too. He occupies a unique place 
in our nation's history. Though most of us never saw 
him, yet we feel daily the influence of his just and kindly 
life bound up in the two titles given him by his neighbors 
and those who knew him well: ''Honest Old Abe" and 
"Father Abraham." 

The matter in this book, the only one of its kind pub- 
lished, is intended not only for the entertainment of chil- 
dren but for their instruction also. The contents for the 
most part is new, much of it having been written es- 
pecially for the book by Marie Irish, Clara J. Denton, 
and Laura R. Smith, and some gathered from various 
sources and adapted by the compiler. It is arranged as 
nearly as possible under the various headings in degree 
of difficulty, primary material being placed first. 

Grateful acknowledgments are rendered to all maga- 
zines, periodicals and books from whose pages selections 
have been gleaned and without which the book could not 
have been complete. Proper credit has been given 
wherever such matter appears. A few selections have 
been used of which the names of author or publisher are 
unknown. For these it has been impossible to give proper 
credit. In cases where unintentional infringements have 
been made, sincere apologies are tendered. J. C. S. 



CONTENTS 

READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 

PAGE 

Abraham Lincoln oel Benton 29 

Abraham Lincoln Susie M. Best 16 

Abraham Lincoln William Ciillen Bryant 24 

Abraham Lincoln Alice Gary 24 

Abraham Lincoln James Russell Lowell 30 

Abraham Lincoln R. H. Stoddard 2^ 

Abraham Lincoln Tom Taylor 35 

At Richmond Clara J. Denton 18 

Best Tribute, The Sidney Dayre 15 

Blue and the Gray, The. . . .Francis Miles Finch 39 

Death of Lincoln, The Charles G. Hal pin 2y 

Flag Goes By, The Henry Holcomb Bennett 20 

Grandson of the Veteran, The. Arthur E. Parke 12 

Jonathan to John James Russell Lowell 43 

Let Us Be Like Him Lydia Avery Goonley 14 

Like Lincoln Clara J. Denton 10 

Lincoln 11 

Lincoln 19 

Lincoln Henry Tyrrell 38 

Lincoln : A Man Called of God 

John Mellen Thurston 41 

Lincoln and the Nestlings Clara J. Denton 14 

Lincoln, the Man of the People 

Edwin Markham 34 

No Slave Beneath the Flag 

George Lansing Taylor 47 

5 



6 CONTENTS 

PAGE 

O Captain ! My Captain ! Walt Whitman 28 

Old Flag Hubbard Parker 22 

On the Life-Mask of Abraham Lincoln 

Richard Watson Gilder 29 

Our Abraham 32 

Our Lincoln 10 

Quotations from Lincoln 54 

Some Heroes 9 

Story of Lincoln, The C. C. Hassler 21 

'Tis Splendid to Live So Grandly 

Margaret E. Sangster ly 

Tributes to Lincoln 48 

Was Lincoln King? Ella M. Bangs 13 

Your Flag and My Flag Wilbur D. Nesbit 26 

PLAYS. DIALOGUES. EXERCISES 

Captain Lincoln. 5 boys Clara J. Denton 82 

Flag Exercise, A. 8 girls and boys. L. F. -^rmf/a^^ 68 

Prophecy, The. i girl, 2 boys .... Clara J. Denton yy 
Savior of Our Flag and Country, The. Whole 

school Laura R. Smith 57 

With Fife and Drum. 4 girls, 3 boys 

Clara J. Denton 88 

Wooden Fire-Shovel, The. 3 girls, 2 boys 

Clara J. Denton 70 

Suggestive Program 102 

DRILLS— By Marie Irish 

Civil War Daughters. 12 girls no 

Blue and the Gray on the Rappahannock, The 

20 to 40 children 117 

Old Glory. 5 girls, 5 boys 103 

Star-Spangled Banner, The. ii children 106 



CONTENTS 7 

PANTOMIMES-By Marie Irish 

PAGE 

America 125 

AuLD Lang Syne 12^ 

Blue and the Gray, The 128 

Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean 131 

Home, Sweet Home 132 

Star-Spangled Banner, The 123 

Swanee Ribber 126 

TABLEAUX— By Marie Irish. 

Liberty 134 

March of Civilization, The 133 

Peace 134 

Scenes from the Life of Lincoln 135 

The Student, The Laborer, The Emancipator, 

The Pardoner, The Martyr. 

Soldier's Farewell, The 133 

When Tm a Man 132 

SONGS 

Day We Celebrate, The Clara J. Denton 138 

His Name Clara J. Denton 140 

Lincoln Dear 

Laura R. Smith and Clarence L. Riege 143 

Lincoln's Birthday Laura R. 

Smith, F. F. Churchill and Mrs. Clara Grindell 144 

Lincoln Song Clara J. Denton 139 

Name We Sing, The Clara J. Denton 139 

Song of Rejoicing, A Clara J. Denton 141 

Sunny Southland, The 

Laura R. Smith and Clarence L. Riege 146 

When Lincoln Was a Little Boy. Clara J. Denton 137 



8 CONTENTS 

STORIES AND FACTS 

PAGE 

Events in the Life of Abraham Lincoln 158 

Gettysburg Address, The 157 

Granting a Pardon 149 

How They Sang 'The Star-Spangled Banner 

When Lincoln Was Inaugurated 

Thomas Nasi 152 

Lincoln's Autobiography 150 

Lincoln's Favorite Poem 154 

Lincoln's Tenderness 148 

Why Dummy Clocks Mark 8:18. 148 



LINCOLN DAY 
ENTERTAINMENTS 

READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 

SOME HEROES 



This recitation is intended to be rendered by two little boys. One 
holds a book and shows the pictures while the other recites. 



N 



OW look, and some pictures of heroes I'll show, 
A hero is always a brave man, you know. 



Here on this first page is Washington grand. 
He fought for our liberty, our free, honored land. 

And next we see our loved Lincoln so brave, 

You know he gave freedom to each poor old slave. 

And here's General Grant! Think what battles he 

won! 
He fought that all States be united as one. 

You see all these heroes are both good and great, 
And each gave his life for his country and state. 

The last is a hero, — now think who 'twill be ! 
He, too, will be great; now look and see, — Me. 

9 



10 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

OUR LINCOLN 



o 



UR Lincoln, when he was a boy, 
Was very tall and slim. 
You see I'm just a little tall ; 
I wonder if I look like him. 



Our Lincoln, when he was a boy, 
Was very brave and very true. 

Today I'm just a little brave; 
In this I'm like our Lincoln, too. 

Our Lincoln, when he was a man, 
Was loved and honored everywhere. 

I'll be the man that Lincoln was. 
To do this I must now prepare. 



LIKE LINCOLN 
Clara J. Denton 



w 



HEN I'm a man, a great big man, 
Like dear old Abe I'll be. 

I mean to follow every plan 
To make me good as he. 



I'll study well, and tell the truth. 

And all my teachers mind; 
And I will be to every one. 

Like him, so true and kind. 

ril try to live in peace, because 
"Quarrels don't pay," said he; 

And any rule of "Honest Abe's" 
Is good enough for me. 



HEADINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS H 

I'll make the best of everything, 

And never scold or whine; 
That was his way when trouble came, 

And so it shall be mine. 

ril be a temperance man, like him. 

They say — what do you think ! — 
He gave some great men at his house, 

Just water cold to drink! 

He did not muddle up his brains 

With any sort of stuff. 
And so, I think his way — don't you? 

Is plenty good enough. 

I may not be a President 

If thus my life I plan. 
But I'll be something better still : 

A good and honest man. 



LINCOLN* 

ONLY a baby, fair and small, 
Like many another baby son, 
Whose smiles and tears came swift at call, 
Who ate, and slept, and grew, that's all, — 
The infant Abe Lincoln. 

Only a boy like other boys. 

With many a task, but little fun. 
Fond of his books, though few he had, 
By his good mother's death made sad, — 
The little Abe Lincoln. 

• with apologies to the unknown writer of the pretty poem Wash- 
ington, of which this is an adaptation. — Editor. 



12 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Only a lad, awkward and shy, 

Skilled in handling an ax or gun, 
Mastering knowledge that, by and by. 
Should aid him in duties great and high, — 
The youthful Abe Lincoln. 

Only a man of finest bent, 

A splendid man: a Nation's son, 
Rail-splitter, Lawyer, President, 
Who served his country and died content, — 
The patriot, Abe Lincoln. 

Only — ah! what was the secret, then. 
Of his being America's honored son ? 
Why was he famed above other men, 
His name upon every tongue and pen, — 
The illustrious Abe Lincoln? 

A mighty brain, a will to endure, 

Kind to all, though a slave to none, 
A heart that was brave, and strong, and sure, 
A soul that was noble, and great, and pure, 
A faith in God that was held secure, — 
This was Abraham Lincoln. 



THE GRANDSON OF THE VETERAN 

Arthur E. Parke 



I 



'VE got the finest grandpapa 
That ever lived, I b'lieve; 
He used to be a soldier boy — 
He's got one empty sleeve. 



He tells the grandest tales to me. 

Of battles that he fought ; 
Of how he marched, and how he charged, 

And how that he got shot. 



HEADINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 13 

My papa was a soldier, too; 

No battles was he in, 
And when I ask him, "Why?", he laughs 

And "guesses" he "was tin." 

I've tried to understand their talk, 

And b'lieve I have it right: 
My grandpa licked so many, there 

Were none for pa to fight. 

— Youth's Companion. 

WAS LINCOLN KING? 

Ella M. Bangs 



w 



E TALKED of kings, little Ned and I, 

As we sat in the firelight's glow ; 
Of Alfred the Great, in days gone by, 
And his kingdom of long ago. 



Of Norman William, who, brave and stern, 

His armies to victory led. 
Then, after a pause, "At school we learn 

Of another great man," said Ned. 

"And this one was good to the oppressed, 
He was gentle and brave, and so 

Wasn't he greater than all the rest? 
'Twas Abraham Lincoln, you know." 

"Was Lincoln a king?" I asked him then. 

And in waiting for his reply 
A long procession of noble men 

Seemed to pass in the firelight by. 

When "No" came slowly from little Ned, 
And thoughtfully ; then, with a start, 

"He wasn't a king — outside/' he said, 
"But I think he was in his heart." 



14 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

LET US BE LIKE HIM* 

Lydia Avery Coonley 



w 



HEN we think of Abraham Lincoln 
Then the angel voices call, 

Saying: Try to be just like him! 
Be as noble, one and all. 



Be as truthful, as unselfish; 

Be as pure, as good, as kind; 
Be as honest; never flatter; 

Give to God your heart and mind. 

Seek not praise, but do your duty, 
Love the right and work for it; 

Then the world will be the better 
Because you have lived in it. 



LINCOLN AND THE NESTLINGS 

Clara J. Denton 

I'VE heard the beautiful stories 
Of Lincoln so great and so good. 
He helped all people in trouble, 
And their grief so well understood ; 
To many sad tales he listened. 

Of heart-broken mothers and wives ; 
And pausing 'mid all his worries, 

Once more he brought hope to their lives. 

• From Lincoln and Washington, bT Marian M. George ai 
Lydia Avery Coonley. Copyrighted and published by A. Flanaga 
Company. Price, twenty-five cents. 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 15 

Dearer than all other stories, 

Is this little one of the day 
When he, with his friends, was riding 

On horseback along the roadway; 
There, in the dust, by a tree, he found 

One little bird, then another. 
From their nest the wind had blown them. 

And he was hunting for their mother. 

When at last he found the nest, and 

In it the birdies laid, 
'Mid the party's merry laughter 

His heart was glad, his manner grave: 
"Seems to me," he said, "I couldn't 

Tonight in bed with ease have slept 
Had I left those creatures suffer 

And not restored them to their nest." 

Wonderful heart; ever tender — 

Tender, yet just, with the rest. 
I think among all the stories. 

This shows his true nature the best. 



THE BEST TRIBUTE 

Sidney Dayre 

MY GRANDPA was a soldier. They tell about 
the day 
He said his very last good-by and bravely 
marched away. 
With flying flags and bayonets all gleaming in the sun. 
They never saw him march back when all the war was 
done. 

They brought him here and laid him where I can always 

bring 
The very brightest flowers that blossom in the spring; 



16 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

But sweeter far than flowers, as every one can tell, 
Is the memory of the soldiers who loved their country 
well. 

I wish I could be like him — to try with all my might 
And do my loyal service for honor and for right 
And victory and glory! But children now, you knoW; 
Have never any chance at all to war against a foe. 

And as I think upon it, the best that we can do 

To show our love and honor for a hero brave and true, 

Is to resolve together always to be brave. 

To live our very noblest in the land he died to save. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

Susie M. Best 



'M 



ID the names that fate has written 
On the deathless scroll of fame, 
We behold the name of Lincoln, 
Shining like a living flame. 



'Mid the deeds the world remembers, 
(Deeds by dauntless heroes done). 

We behold the deeds of Lincoln, 
Blazing like a brilliant sun. 

'Mid the lives whose light illumines 
History's dark and dreadful page, 

We behold the life of Lincoln, 
Lighting up an awful age. 

When the storm of peril threatened 
His loved land to overwhelm. 

Safe the ship of state he guided, 
With his hand upon the helm. 



READINGS, BECITATIOj^iS, QUOTATIONS 17 

Statesman, ruler, hero, martyr — 

Fitting names for him, I say. 
Wherefore, let us all as brothers, 

Love his memory today. 



TIS SPLENDID TO LIVE SO GRANDLY* 

Margaret E. Sangster 

fripMS splendid to live so grandly 
I That, long after you are gone. 

The things you did are remembered, 
And recounted under the sun ; 
To live so bravely and purely 

That a nation stops on its way, 
And once a year, with banner and drum. 
Keeps the thoughts of your natal day. 

'Tis splendid to have a record. 

So white and free from stain, 
That, held to the light, it shows no blot, 

Though tested and tried again ; 
That age to age forever 

Repeats its story of love, 
And your birthday lives in a nation's heart 

All other days above. 

And this is our Lincoln's glory, 

A steadfast soul and true, 
Who stood for his country's union. 

When his country called him to. 



• Adapted by the editor from the author's excellent tribute to 
Washington. The poem Is equally true to the character and work of 
Lincoln as well as the love for him. 



18 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

And now that we once more are one, 
And our flag of stars is flung 

To the breeze in defiant challenge, 
His name is on every tongue. 

Yes, it's splendid to live so bravely, 

To be so great and strong, 
That your memory is ever a tocsin 

To rally the foes of the wrong ; 
To live so proudly and purely 

That your people pause in their way, 
And year by year, with banner and drum, 

Keep the thoughts of your natal day. 



w 



AT RICHMOND 

Clara J. Denton 

E HAVE read the stories glowing, 
Found in annals of old, 

Of mighty conquerers marching, 
With cohorts strong and bold : 



We see the proud monarch, riding 

In grand and lofty state. 
We hear the clamor, extolling 

His skill and prowess great. 

But, grander by far the vision 

Modern annals unclose: 
Through the burning streets of Richmond 

Walks Lincoln 'mong his foes. 

Though no pride of state surrounds him, 

On every side we hear: 
"Foh Marsa Linkum, bress de Lawd." 

**De Sabiour now am near." 



EEADINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 19 

"O, honey chile, jes' tech him once!" 

"Suah heben is 'mos' nigh." 
"I's on de mount, O, Gawd, I is." 

"Dis niggah now kin die." 

O, the poor untutored negroes! 

And yet I am sure, to him 
Before those cries of joy and love 

Earth's brightest gauds grew dim. 

And, I think, his heart that morning 

A throb exultant gave; 
For never more his countrymen 

Could know the name of slave! 



LINCOLN 

ROM out the strong young west he came 
In those warlike days of yore. 

When Freedom's cry had reached the sky 
And rung from shore to shore. 

He knew the world was watching him, 

He heard the words of scorn. 
He felt the weight of a severed State 

By cruel rebellion torn. 

But calling on Jehovah, 

He seized his mighty pen 
And with a stroke, the chains he broke 

From a million bonded men. 

He was a dauntless leader 

As among the host he moved, 
And he gave his life in the time of strife 

To save the cause he loved. 



20 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

THE FLAG GOES BY 

Henry Holcomb Bennett 

HATS off! 
Along the street there comes 
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, 
A flash of color beneath the sky ; 

Hats off! 
The flag is passing by! 

Blue and crimson and white it shines, 
Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines. 

Hats off! 
The colors before us fly; 
But more than the flag is passing by : 

Sea fights and land fights, grim and great, 
Fought to make and save the State; 
Weary marches and sinking ships ; 
Cheers of victory on dying lips; 

Days of plenty and years of peace; 
March of a strong land's swift increase; 
Equal justice, right, and law, 
Stately honor and reverend awe; 

Sign of a nation, great and strong 
To ward her people from foreign vTong ; 
Pride and glory and honor, — ^all 
Live in the colors to stand or fall. 

Hats off ! 
Along the street there comes 
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums ; 
And loyal hearts are beating high. 

Hats off! 
The flag is passing by! 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 21 

THE STORY OF LINCOLN 

C. C. Hassler 

ELL to the boys the story of Lincoln, 
Tell it to them when early in youth, 

Tell of his struggles for knowledge to fit him. 
Guide him thro' manhood in honored truth. 

Tell them of Lincoln ; yes, tell them the story, 
None more worthy of honor than he; 

None was more proud of our national glory ; 
None was more true to the flag of the free. 

Tell to the boys the story of Lincoln; 

Tell of his loyalty, tell of his hate — 
Not toward men, but the infamous rreasures 

False to the nation, the home and the state. 

Tell them ; yes, tell them, his highest ambition 
Was of all men in the nation to stand 

Close to the hearts of the people who loved him — 
Loved him and chose him to rule in the land. 

Tell to the boys the sad story of Lincoln ; 

Tell of his trials when traitors defied 
And spurned the old flag; how the nation's de- 
fenders 

At his call rallied and sprang to his side ; 

Tell how he suffered when news of the battle 
Told of disaster, of wounded and dead ; 

Tell how his great noble heart was oft gladdened 
When as proud victors our armies were led. 



32 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Tell them ; yes, tell them the story and point them 
Up to a standard he would applaud; 

Loyal in life to the state and the nation, 
True to one country, one flag and one God. 



OLD FLAG 

Hubbard Parker 

WHAT shall I say to you, Old Flag? 
You are so grand in every fold, 
So linked with mighty deeds of old, 
So steeped in blood where heroes fell. 
So torn and pierced by shot and shell. 
So calm, so still, so firm, so true. 
My throat swells at the sight of you, 

Old Flag. 

What of the men who lifted you, Old Flag, 
Upon the top of Bunker Hill, 
Who crushed the Britons' cruel will, 
'Mid shock and roar and crash and scream, 
Who crossed the Delaware's frozen stream. 
Who starved, who fought, who bled, who died. 
That you might float in glorious pride, 

Old Flag? 

What of the women brave and true, Old Flag, 
Who, while the cannon thundered wild. 
Sent forth a husband, lover, child. 
Who labored in the field by day, 
Who, all the night long, knelt to pray, 
And thought that God great mercy gave, 
If only freely you might wave, 

Old Flag? 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 23 

What is your mission now, Old Flag? 

What but to set all people free, 

To rid the world of misery, 

To guard the right, avenge the wrong, 

And gather in one joyful throng 

Beneath your folds in close embrace 

All burdened ones of every race. 

Old Flag. 

Right nobly do you lead the way. Old Flag. 

Your stars shine out for liberty. 

Your white stripes stand for purity, 

Your crimson claims that courage high 

For honor's sake to fight and die. 

Lead on against the alien shore! 

We'll follow you, e'en to Death's door, 

Old Flag I 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

R. H. Stoddard 

THIS man whose homely face you look upon. 
Was one of Nature's masterful, great men ; 
Born with strong arms that unfought vic- 
tories won, 
Direct of speech, and cunning with the pen. 
Chosen for large designs, he had the art 
Of winning with his humor, and he went 
Straight to his mark, which was the human heart ; 
Wise, too, for what he could not break he bent. 
Upon his back a more than Atlas' load 
The burden of the Commonwealth was laid ; 
He stooped, and rose up with it, though the road 
Shot suddenly downwards, not a whit dismayed. 
Hold, warriors, councillors, kings ! All now give place 
To this dead Benefactor of the Race ! 



24 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

William Cullen Bryant 

This ode was written for the Funeral Services held in New York 
City. 

H, SLOW to smite and swift to spare, 
Gentle and merciful and just ! 

Who in the fear of God, didst bear 
The sword of power, a nation's trust 



O 



In sorrow by thy bier we stand 
Amid the awe that husheth all. 

And speak the anguish of a land 
That shook with horror at thy fall. 

Thy task is done ; the bonds are free ; 

We bear thee to an honored grave, 
Whose proudest monument shall be 

The broken fetters of the slave. 

Pure was thy life ; its bloody close 

Has placed thee with the Sons of Light, 

Among the noble host of those 

Who perished in the cause of Right. 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

Alice Gary 

INSCRIBED TO "pUNCH" 

No GLITTERING chaplet brought from other 
lands! 
As in his life, this man, in death, is ours ; 
His own loved prairies o'er his "gaunt, gnarled hands" 
Have fitly drawn their sheet of summer flowers ! 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 25 

What need hath he now of a tardy crown, 

His name from mocking jest and sneer to save? 

When every ploughman turns his furrow down 
As soft as though it fell upon his grave. 

He was a man whose like the world again 
Shall never see, to vex with blame or praise ; 

The landmarks that attest his bright, brief reign 
Are battles, not the pomps of gala days ! 

The grandest leader of the grandest war 

That ever time in history gave a place ; 
What were the tinsel flattery of a star 

To such a breast ! or what a ribbon's grace ! 

'T is to th' man, and th' man's honest worth, 

The nation's loyalty in tears upsprings; 
Through him the soil of labor shines henceforth 

High o'er the silken broideries of kings. 

The mechanism of external forms — 

The shrifts that courtiers put their bodies through. 
Were alien ways to him — his brawny arms 

Had other work than posturing to do ! 

Born of the people, well he knew to grasp 

The wants and wishes of the weak and small; 

Therefore we hold him with no shadowy clasp — 
Therefore his name is household to us all. 

Therefore we love him with a love apart 

From any fawning love of pedigree — 
His was the royal soul and mind and heart — 

Not the poor outward shows of royalty. 

Forgive us then, O friends, if we are slow 
To meet your recognition of his worth — 

We're jealous of the very tears that flow 

From eyes that never loved a humble hearth. 



26 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

YOUR FLAG AND MY FLAG 

Wilbur D. Nesbit 

YOUR Flag and my Flag, 
And how it flies today 
In your land and my land 
And half the world away ! 
Rose-red and blood-red 

The stripes forever gleam ; 
Snow-white and soul-white — 
The good forefather's dream; 
Sky-blue and true-blue, with stars to gleam 

aright — 
The gloried guidon of the day ; a shelter through 
the night. 

Your Flag and my Flag! 

And, oh, how much it holds — 
Your land and my land — 
Secure within its folds! 
Your heart and my heart 

Beat quicker at the sight; 
Sun-kissed and wind-tossed. 
Red and blue and white. 
The one Flag — the great Flag — the Flag for 

me and you — 
Glorified all else beside — the red and white and 
blue! 

Your Flag and my Flag! 

To every star and stripe 
The drums beat as hearts beat 

And fifers shrilly pipe! 
Your Flag and my Flag — 

A blessing in the sky; 
Your hope and my hope — 

It never hid a lie ! 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 27 

Home land and far land and half the world 

around, 
Old Glory hears our glad salute and ripples to the 

sound ! 



THE DEATH OF LINCOLN 

Charles G. Halpin 

HE FILLED the nation's eye and heart, 
An honored, loved, familiar name, 
So much a brother that his fame 
Seemed of our lives a common part. 

His towering figure, sharp and spare. 
Was with such nervous tension strung, 
As if on each strained sinew swung 

The burden of a people's care. 

He was his country's, not his own; 

He had no wish but for her weal ; 

Not for himself could think or feel, 
But as a laborer for her throne. 

O, loved and lost! thy patient toil 

Had robed our cause in Victory's light; 
Our country stood redeemed and bright, 

With not a slave on all her soil. 

A martyr to the cause of man, 
His blood is freedom's eucharist, 
And in the world's great hero list. 

His name shall lead the van. 



28 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN! 

Walt Whitman 

Abraham Lincoln was killed by John Wilkes Booth, almost 
exactly four years after the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter. 
This song and Edwin Markham's poem on Lincoln are two of the 
greatest tributes ever paid to that hero. 

O CAPTAIN ! my Captain ! Our fearful trip is done, 
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we 
sought is won, 
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, 
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and 
daring ; 

But O heart ! heart ! heart ! 
O the bleeding drops of red, 

Where on the deck my Captain lies, 
Fallen cold and dead ! 

O Captain ! my Captain ! rise up and hear the bells ; 
Rise up — for you the flag is flung — for you the bugle 

trills, 
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths — for you the 

shores a-crowding. 
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces 
turning ; 

Here, Captain! dear father! 
This arm beneath your head! 
It is some dream that on the deck 
YouVe fallen cold and dead. 

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, 
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will. 
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed 

and done, 
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object 

won; 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 29 

Exult O shores, and ring O bells I 
But I, with mournful tread, 
Walk the deck my Captain lies, 
Fallen cold and dead. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

Joel Benton 

SOME opulent force of genius, soul, and race. 
Some deep life-current from far centuries 
Flowed to his mind and lighted his sad eyes. 
And gave his name, among great names, high place. 

But these are miracles we may not trace. 
Nor say why from a source and lineage mean 
He rose to grandeur never dreamt or seen 

Or told on the long scroll of history's space. 

The tragic fate of one broad hemisphere 
Fell on stern days to his supreme control. 

All that the world and liberty held dear 

Pressed like a nightmare on his patient soul. 

Martyr beloved, on whom, when life was done, 
Fame looked, and saw another Washington ! 



ON THE LIFE-MASK OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

Richard Watson Gilder 

THIS bronze doth keep the very form and mold 
Of our great martyr's face. Yes, this is he: 
That brow all wisdom, all benignity ; 
That human humorous mouth; those cheeks that hold 
Like some harsh landscape all the summer's gold; 



30 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

That spirit fit for sorrow, as the sea 
For storms to beat on; the lone agony 

Those silent, patient lips too well foretold. 

Yes, this is he who ruled a world of men 
As might some prophet of the elder day — 
Brooding above the tempest and the fray 

With deep-eyed thought and more than mortal ken. 
A power was his beyond the touch of art 
Or armed strength — his pure and mighty heart. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

James Russell Lowell 

This is a fragment of the noble Commemoration Ode delivered at 
Harvard College to the memory of those of its students who fell 
in the war which kept the country whole. 

SUCH was he, our Martyr-Chief, 
Whom late the Nation he had led, 
With ashes on her head, 
Wept with the passion of an angry grief: 
Forgive me, if from present things I turn 
To speak what in my heart will beat and burn, 
And hang my wreath on this world-honored urn. 
Nature, they say, doth dote. 
And cannot make a man 
Save on some worn-out plan, 
Repeating us by rote : 
For him her Old- World moulds aside she threw. 
And, choosing sweet clay from the breast 
Of the unexhausted West, 
With stuff untainted shaped a hero new. 
Wise, steadfast in the strength of God, and true. 
How beautiful to see 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 31 

Once more a shepherd of mankind indeed, 

Who loved his charge, but never loved to lead ; 

One whose meek flock the people joyed to be, 
Not lured by any cheat of birth. 
But by his clear-grained human worth, 

And brave old wisdom of sincerity! 
They knew that outward grace is dust ; 
They could not choose but trust 

In that sure-footed mind's unfaltering skill, 
And supple-tempered will 

That bent like perfect steel to spring again and thrust. 
His was no lonely mountain-peak of mind. 
Thrusting to thin air o'er our cloudy bars, 
A sea-mark now, now lost in vapors blind ; 
Broad prairie rather, genial, level-lined, 
Fruitful and friendly for all human kind. 

Yet also nigh to heaven and loved of loftiest stars. 



I praise him not; it were too late; 
And some innative weakness there must be 
In him who condescends to victory 
Such as the Present gives, and cannot wait, 
Safe in himself as in a fate. 
So always firmly he : 
He knew to bide his time, 
And can his fame abide. 
Still patient in his simple faith sublime, 

Till the wise years decide. 
Great captains, with their guns and drums, 
Disturb our judgment for the hour. 
But at last silence comes; 
These all are gone, and, standing like a tower. 
Our children shall behold his fame. 

The kindly-earnest, brave, foreseeing man, 
Sagacious, patient, dreading praise, not blame. 
New birth of our new soil, the first American. 



33 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

OUR ABRAHAM 

OUT of the mellow West there came 
A man whom neither praise nor blame 
Could gild or tarnish ; one who rose 
With fate-appointed swiftness far 
Above his friends, above his foes ; 

Whose life shone like a splendid star, 
To fill his people's hearts with flame ; 
Who never sought for gold or fame; 
But gave himself without a price — 
A willing, humble sacrifice — 
An erring Nation's Paschal Lamb — 
The great, gaunt, patient Abraham. 

I never saw his wrinkled face, 

Where tears and smiles disputed place ; 

I never touched his homely hand, 

That seemed in benediction raised, 
E'en when it emphasized command, 

What time the fires of battle blazed. 
The hand that signed the act of grace 
Which freed a wronged and tortured race ; 
And yet I feel that he is mine — 
My country's; and that light divine 
Streams from the saintly oriflamme 
Of great, gaunt, patient Abraham. 

He was our standard-bearer; he 
Caught up the thread of destiny, 
And round the breaking Union bound 

And wove it firmly. To his task 
He rose gigantic ; nor could sound 

Of menace daunt him. Did he ask 
For homage when glad Victory 
Followed his flags from sea to sea ? 
Nay, but he staunched the wounds of war ; 
And you owe all you have and are — 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 33 

And I owe all I have and am 

To great, gaunt, patient Abraham. 

The pillars of our temple rocked 
Beneath the mighty wind that shocked 
Foundations that the fathers laid ; 

But he upheld the roof and stood 
Fearless, while others were afraid ; 

His sturdy strength and faith were good, 
While coward knees together knocked. 
And traitor hands the door unlocked, 
To let the unbeliever in. 
He bore the burden of our sin. 
While the rebel voices rose to damn 
The great, gaunt, patient Abraham. 

And then he died a martyr's d^ath — 
Forgiveness in his latest breath, 
And peace upon his dying lips. 

He died for me ; he died for you ; 
Heaven help us if his memory slips 

Out of our hearts ! His soul was true 
And clean and beautiful. What saith 
Dull history that reckoneth 
But coldly? That he was a man 
Who loved his fellows as few can ; 
And that he hated every sham — 
Our great, gaunt, patient Abraham. 

Majestic, sweet, was Washington; 
And Jefferson was like the sun — 
He glorified the simplest thing 

He touched ; and Andrew Jackson seems 
The impress of a fiery king 

To leave upon us : these in dreams 
Are oft before us ; but the one 
Whose vast work was so simply done — 
The Lincoln of our war-tried years — 



34 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

Has all our deepest love; in tears, 

We chant the In Memoriam 

Of great, gaunt, patient Abraham. 



LINCOLN, THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE* 

Edwin Markham 

This poem, which is considered one of the two best tributes evei 
paid to Lincoln, the other being Walt Whitman's O Captain! Mj 
Captain! is a tremendously virile and earnest summing up of the 
meaning of the man (Lincoln) and his life; a lesson in patriotism 
and a masterful piece of hero worship. 

WHEN the Norn-Mother saw the Whirl- 
wind Hour 
Greatening and darkening as it hurried on. 
She left the Heaven of Heroes and came down 
To make a man to meet the mortal need. 
She took the tried clay of the common road — 
Clay warm yet with the genial heat of Earth, 
Dashed through it all a strain of prophecy ; 
Tempered the heap with thrill of mortal tears ; 
Then mixed a laughter with the serious stuff. 
It was a stuff to hold against the world, 
A man to match our mountains, and compel 
The stars to look our way and honor us. 

The color of the ground was in him, the red earth; 

The tang and odor of the primal things : 

The rectitude and patience of the rocks ; 

The gladness of the wind that shakes the corn ; 

The courage of the bird that dares the sea ; 

♦ Prom Lincoln and Other Poems by Edwin Markham. By per- 
mission of The McClure Company and the author. Copyright, 1901, 
by Edwin Markham. 

This poem was revised by Mr. Markham especially for use In this 
book. Copyright, 1908, by Edwin Markham. Reprinting in whatever 
form Is expressly forbidden, unless through special permission of the 
author. 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 35 

The justice of the rain that loves all leaves; 
The pity of the snow that hides all scars; 
The loving-kindness of the wayside well; 
The tolerance and equity of light 
That gives as freely to the shrinking weed 
As to the great oak flaring to the wind — 
To the grave's low hill as to the Matterhorn 
That shoulders out the sky. 

And so he came. 
From prairie cabin up to Captitol, 
One fair Ideal led our chieftain on. 
Forevermore he burned to do his deed 
With the fine stroke and gesture of a king. 
He built the rail-pile as he built the State, 
Pouring his splendid strength through every blow, 
The conscience of him testing every stroke. 
To make his deed the measure of a man. 

So came the Captain with the mighty heart ; 
And when the step of Earthquake shook the house, 
Wrenching the rafters from their ancient hold, 
He held the ridgepole up, and spiked again 
The rafters of the Home. He held his place — 
Held the long purpose like a growing tree — 
Held on through blame and faltered not at praise. 
And when he fell in whirlwind, he went down 
As when a kingly cedar green with boughs 
Goes down with a great shout upon the hills. 
And leaves a lonesome place against the sky. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

Tom Taylor* 

YOU lay a wreath on murdered Lincoln's bier, 
You, who with mocking pencil wont to trace, 
Broad for the self-complacent British sneer. 
His length of shambling limb, his furrowed face. 



36 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

His gaunt, gnarled hands, his unkempt, bristling 

hair, 
His garb uncouth, his bearing ill at ease, 
His lack of all we prize as debonair, 
Of power or will to shine, of art to please. 

You, whose smart pen backed up the pencil's laugh, 

Judging each step as though the way were plain : 

Reckless, so it could point its paragraph 

Of chief's perplexity, or people's pain. 

Beside this corpse that bears for winding-sheet 

The Stars and Stripes he lived to rear anew. 

Between the mourner at his head and feet, 

Say, scurril-jester, is there room for you? 

Yes ! He had lived to shame me from my sneer, 

To lame my pencil and confute my pen ; 

To make me own this hind of princes peer, 

This rail-splitter, a true-born king of men. 

My shallow judgment I had learned to rue. 

Noting how to occasion's height he rose. 

How his quaint wit made home truth seem more 

true. 
How, iron-like, his temper grew by blows. 

How humble, yet how hopeful, he could be : 
How in good fortune and in ill the same: 
Nor bitter in success, nor boastful he, 

• The authorship of this poem seems to be surrounded by some* 
what of a doubt. Mark Lemon, editor of Punch at the time when 
this was written, Is sometimes accredited with writing the tribute ; 
then again, Splelman's History of Punch ascribes It to Shirley 
Brooks, who also was editor of Punch for a few years. 

The poem first appeared anonymously In the London Punch, May 
6, 1865. Accompanying It was an engraving of Brlttanla mourning 
at Lincoln's bier and placing a wreath thereon. Columbia was rep- 
resented as weeping at the head of the President, and at the foot of 
the bier was a slave with broken shackles. Underneath was the In- 
scription, "Brlttanla sympathizes with Columbia." 

It is now generally believed that the author of the famous trib- 
ute was the journalist and dramatist, Tom Taylor, the author of the 
comedy, Oub American Cousin, a performance of which President 
Lincoln was witnessing at the time of his assassination. 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 37 

Thirsty for gold, nor feverish for fame. 
He went about his work — such work as few 
Ever had laid on head and heart and hand — 
As one who knows, where there's a task to do, 
Man's honest will must Heaven's good grace com- 
mand; 
Who trusts the strength will with the burden grow, 
That God makes instruments to work His will. 
If but that will we can arrive to know, 
Nor tamper with the weights of good and ill. 
So he went forth to battle, on the side 
That he felt clear was Liberty's and Right's, 
As in his peasant boyhood he had plied 
His warfare with rude Nature's thwarting mights — • 
The uncleared forest, the unbroken soil. 
The iron-bark, that turns the lumberer's axe, 
The rapid that o'erbears the boatman's toil. 
The prairie hiding the mazed wanderer's tracks. 
The ambushed Indian, and the prowling bear — 
Such were the deeds that helped his youth to train : 
Rough culture — but such trees large fruit may bear. 
If but their stocks be of right girth and grain. 

So he grew up a destined work to do, 
And lived to do it : four long-suffering years. 
Ill-fate, ill-feeling, ill-report lived through, 
And then he heard the hisses changed to cheers. 
The taunts to tribute, the abuse to praise. 
And took both with the same unwavering mood : 

Till, as he came on light, from darkling days 
And seemed to touch the goal from where he stood, 
A felon hand, between the goal and him. 
Reached from behind his back, a trigger prest. 
And those perplexed and patient eyes were dim. 
Those gaunt, long-laboring limbs were laid to rest ! 
The words of mercy were upon his lips, 
Forgiveness in his Heart and on his pen, 



LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 

When this vile murderer brought swift eclipse 
To thoughts of peace on earth, good will to men. 

The Old World and the New, from sea to sea, 

Utter one voice of sympathy and shame. 

Sore heart, so stopped when it at last beat high ! 

Sad life, cut short just as its triumph came ! 

A deed accurst ! Strokes have been struck before 

By the assassin's hand, whereof men doubt 

If more of horror or disgrace they bore ; 

But thy foul crime, like Cain's, stands darkly out, 

Vile hand, that brandest murder on a strife, 

Whate'er its grounds, stoutly and nobly striven, 

And with the martyr's crown crownest a life 

With much to praise, little to be forgiven. 



LINCOLN 

Henry Tyrrell 

LINCOLN arose ! the masterful, great man, 
Girt with rude grandeur, quelling doubt and 
fear, — 
A more than king, yet in whose veins there ran 
The red blood of the people, warm, sincere. 
Blending of Puritan and Cavalier. 
A will whose force stern warriors came to ask, 
A heart that melted at a mother's tear — 
These brought he to his superhuman task: 
Over a tragic soul he wore a comic mask. 

He was the South's child more than of the North ! 
His soul was not compact of rock and snow, 
But such as old Kentucky's soil gives forth, — 
The splendid race of giants that we know, 
Firm unto friend, and loyal unto foe, . 



EEADINGS, EECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 39 

Such birthrights all environment forestall, 
Resistlessly their tides of impulse flow. 
This man who answered to his country's call 
Was full of human faults, and nobler for them all. 

He is a life, and not a legend, yet: 
For thousands live who shook him by the hand, 
Millions whose sympathies with his were set. 
Whose hopes and griefs alike with his were grand, 
Who deeply mourned his passing. They demand 
Our homage to the greatest man they saw, — 
They, his familiars; and throughout our land 
The years confirm them, over race and law: 
Even of rancor now the voice is hush'd in awe. 



THE BLUE AND THE GRAY 

Francis Miles Finch 

The women of Columbus, Mississippi, had shown themselves im- 
partial in the offerings made to the memory of the dead. They 
strewed flowers alike on the graves of the Confederates and of the 
National soldiers. 

BY THE flow of the inland river, 
Whence the fleets of iron have fled. 
Where the blades of the grave-grass 
quiver. 
Asleep are the ranks of the dead ; 
Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Under the one, the Blue; 
Under the other, the Gray. 

These in the robings of glory, 

Those in the gloom of defeat; 
All with the battle-blood gory. 

In the dusk of eternity meet; 



40 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Under the sod and the dew, 
Waiting the judgment day; 

Under the laurel, the Blue ; 
Under the willow, the Gray. 

From the silence of sorrowful hours, 
The desolate mourners go. 

Lovingly laden with flowers, 
Alike for the friend and the foe; 

Under the sod and the dew. 
Waiting the judgment day; 

Under the roses, the Blue; 
Under the lilies, the Gray. 

So, with an equal splendor, 

The morning sun-rays fall. 
With a touch impartially tender, 

On the blossoms blooming for all; 
Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Broidered with gold, the Blue, 

Mellowed with gold, the Gray. 

So, when the summer calleth. 

On forest and field of grain, 
With an equal murmur falleth 

The cooling drip of the rain ; 
Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Wet with the rain, the Blue; 

Wet with the rain, the Gray. 

Sadly, but not with upbraiding. 
The generous deed was done ; 

In the storm of the years that are fading, 
No braver battle was won; 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 41 

Under the sod and the dew, 

Waiting the judgment day ; 
Under the blossoms, the Blue; 

Under the garlands, the Gray. 

No more shall the war cry sever, 

Or the winding rivers be red; 
They banish our anger forever. 

When they laurel the graves of our dead. 
Under the sod and the dew, 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Love and tears for the Blue, 

Tears and love for the Gray. 



LINCOLN: A MAN CALLED OF GOD 

John Mellen Thurston 

Extract from an address delivered before the Chicago Lincoln 
Association, February 12, 1891. 

GOD'S providence has raised up a leader in every 
time of a people's exceeding need. 
Moses, reared in the family of Pharaoh, 
initiated in the sublime mysteries of the priestcraft of 
Egypt, partaking of the power and splendor of royal 
family and favor, himself a ruler and almost a king, was 
so moved by the degraded and helpless condition of his 
enslaved brethren that for their sake he undertook what 
to human understanding seemed the impossible problem 
of deliverance. . . . 

A peasant girl, a shepherdess, dreaming on the hills of 
France, feels her simple heart burn with the story of 
her country's wrongs. Its army beaten, shattered and 
dispersed; its fields laid waste; its homes pillaged and 
burned; its people outraged and murdered; its prince 
fleeing for life before a triumphant and remorseless foe. 
Hope for France was dead. Heroes, there were none to 
save. What could a woman do? 



42 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Into the soul of this timid, unlettered mountain maid 
there swept a flood of glorious resolve. Some power, un- 
known to man, drew back the curtain from the glass of 
fate and bade her look therein. As in a vision, she sees 
a new French army, courageous, hopeful, victorious, in- 
vincible. A girl, sword in hand, rides at its head ; be- 
fore it the invaders flee. She sees France restored, her 
fields in bloom, her cottages in peace, her people happy, 
her prince crowned. 

The rail-splitter of Illinois became President of the 
United States in the darkest hour of the nation's peril. 
Inexperienced and untrained in governmental afifairs, he 
formulated national politics, overruled statesmen, di- 
rected armies, removed generals, and, when it became 
necessary to save the Republic, set at naught the written 
Constitution. He amazed the politicians and offended 
the leaders of his party ; but the people loved him by in- 
stinct, and followed him blindly. The child leads the 
blind man through dangerous places, not by reason of 
controlling strength and intelligence, but by certainty of 
vision. Abraham Lincoln led the nation along its 
obscure pathway, for his vision was above the clouds, 
and he stood in the clear sunshine of God's indicated will. 

So stands the mountain while the murky shadows 
thicken at its base, beset by the tempest, lashed by the 
storm, darkness and desolation on every side ; no gleam 
of hope in the lightning's lurid lances, nor voice of safety 
in the crashing thunder-bolts ; but high above the top- 
most mist, vexed by no wave of angry sound, kissed by 
the sun of day, wooed by the stars at night, the eternal 
summit lifts its snowy crest, crowned with the infinite 
serenity of peace. 

"And God said — let there be light, and there was 
light." Light on the ocean, light on the land. 

''And God said — let there be light, and there was 
light." Light from the cross of calvary, light from the 
souls of men. 

''And God said — let there be light, and there was 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 43 

light"." Light from the emancipation proclamation, light 
on the honor of the nation, light on the Constitution of 
the United States, light on the black faces of patient 
bondmen, light on every standard of freedom through- 
out the world. X 

From the hour in which the cause of the Union be- 
came the cause of liberty, from the hour in which the 
flag of the Republic became the flag of humanity, from 
the hour in which the stars and stripes no longer floated 
over a slave ; yea, from the sacred hour of the nation's 
new birth, that dear old banner never faded from the 
sky, and the brave boys who bore it never wavered in 
their onward march to victory. . . . 

After a quarter of a century of peace and prosperity, 
all children of our common country kneel at the altar of 
a reunited faith. The Blue and Gray lie in eternal slum- 
ber side by side. Heroes all, they fell face to face, 
brother against brother, to expiate a nation's sin. The 
lonely firesides and the unknown graves, the memory of 
the loved, the yearning for the lost, the desolated altars 
and the broken hopes, are past recall. The wings of our 
weak protests beat in vain against the iron doors of fate. 
But through the mingled tears that fall alike upon the 
honored dead of both, the North and South turn hopeful 
eyes to that new future of prosperity and power, pos- 
sible only in the shelter of the dear old flag. To the 
conquerors and the conquered, to the white man and the 
black, to the master and the slave, Abraham Lincoln was 
God's providence. 



JONATHAN TO JOHN 

James Russell Lowell 

This poetic effusion of Mr. Hosea Biglow was preceded by the 
Idyl of the Bridge and the Monument, which set forth another 
side of American feeling at the British words and deeds consequent 
on the unauthorized capture, by Commodore Wilkes, of the Trent, 
conveying to England two Confederate Commissioners. 



44 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

IT DONT seem hardly right, John, 
When both my hands was full, 
To stump me to a fight, John — 
Your cousin, tu, John Bull ! 
Ole Uncle S., sez he, *'I guess 
We know it now," sez he, 
"The lion's paw is all the law, 
Accordin' to J. B., 
Thet's fit for you an' me!" 

You wonder why we're hot, John? 

Your mark wuz on the guns. 
The neutral guns, thet shot, John, 
Our brothers an' our sons : 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess 
There's human blood," sez he, 
"By fits an' starts, in Yankee hearts, 
Though 't may surprise J. B. 
More'n it would you an' me." 

Ef / turned mad dogs loose, John, 

On your front-parlor stairs, 
Would it jest meet your views, John, 
To wait and sue their heirs? 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess, 
I only guess," sez he, 
"Thet ef Vattel on his toes fell, 
'T would kind o' rile J. B., 
Ez wal ez you an' me !" 

Who made the law thet hurts, John, 

Heads I win, — ditto tails? 
"/. B." was on his shirts, John, 
Onless my memory fails. 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess 
(I'm good at thet)," sez he, 
"Thet sauce for goose ain't jest the juice 
For ganders with J. B., 
No more than you or me !" 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 45 

When your rights was our wrongs, John, 

You didn't stop for fuss, — 
Britanny's trident prongs, John, 
Was good 'nough law for us. 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess, 
Though physic's good," sez he, 
"It doesn't foller that he can swaller 
Prescriptions signed '/. B.,' 
Put up by you an' me!" 

We own the ocean, tu, John: 

You mus'n' take it hard, 
If we can't think with you, John, 
It's jest your own back-yard. 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess. 
If thet's his claim," sez he, 
"The fencin'-stuff '11 cost enough 
To bust up friend J. B., 
Ez wal ez you an' me !" 

Why talk so dreffle big, John, 

Of honor when it meant 
You didn't care a fig, John, 
But jest for ten per cent? 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess 
He's like the rest," sez he: 
"When all is done, it's number one 
Thet's nearest to J. B., 
Ez wal ez you an' me I" 

We give the critters back, John, 

Cos Abram thought 't was right; 
It warn't your bullyin' clack, John, 
Provokin' us to fight. 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess 
We've a hard row," sez he, 
"To hoe jest now ; but thet somehow, 
May happen to J. B., 
Ez wal ez you an' me!" 



46 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

We ain't so weak an* poor, John, 

With twenty million people, 
An' close to every door, John, 
A school-house an' a steeple. 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess 
It is a fact," sez he, 
"The surest plan to make a Man 
Is, think him so, J. B., 
Ez much ez you an' me !" 

Our folks believe in Law, John ; 

An' it's for her sake, now. 
They've left the ax an' saw, John, 
The anvil an' the plough. 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess, 
Ef 't warn't for law," sez he, 
"There'd be one shindy from here to Indy; 
An' thet don't suit J. B. 
(When 't ain't twixt you an' me!)" 

We know we've got a cause, John, 

Thet's honest, just an' true; 
We thought 't would win applause, John, 
Ef nowheres else, from you. 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, 'T guess 
His love of right," sez he, 
**Hangs by a rotten fibre o' cotton: 
There's nature in J. B., 
Ez wal ez you an' me!" 

The South says, ''Poor folks dozvn r John, 

An' "All men up!" say we, — 
White, yaller, black, an' brown, John: 
Now which is your idee? 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess, 
John preaches wal," sez he; 
**But, sermon thru, an' come to du, 
Why, there's the old J. B. 
A crowdin' you an' me!" 



READINGS, EECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 47 

Shall it be love, or hate, John, 

It's you thet's to decide; 
Ain't your bonds held by Fate, John, 
Like all the world's beside? 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess 
Wise men forgive," sez he, 
"But not forget; an' some time yet 
Thet truth may strike J. B., 
Ez wal ez you an' me !" 

God means to make this land, John, 

Clear thru, from sea to sea. 
Believe an' understand, John, 
The Zinith o' bein' free. 

Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess, 
God's price is high," sez he : 
''But nothin' else than wut He sells 
Wears long, an' thet J. B. 
May larn, like you an' me !" 



NO SLAVE BENEATH THE FLAG 

George Lansing Taylor 

NO SLAVE beneath that starry flag. 
The emblem of the free ! 
No fettered hand shall wield the brand 
That smites for liberty: 
No tramp of servile armies 

Shall shame Columbia's shore. 
For he who fights for freedom's rights 

Is free for evermore ! 
******** 

Go tell the brave of every land, 

Where'er that flag has' flown — 
The tyrant's fear, the patriot's cheer, 

Through every clime and zone — 



48 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

That now no more forever 
Its stripes are slavery scars; 

No tear-drops stain its azure plain 
Nor dim its golden stars. 

No slave beneath that grand old flag! 

Forever let it fly, 
With lightning rolled in every fold, 

And flashing victory! 
God's blessing breathe around it! 

And when all strife is done, 
May freedom's light, that knows no night, 

Make every star a sun! 



TRIBUTES TO LINCOLN 

GRAVE Lincoln came, strong-handed, from afar — 
The mighty Homer of the lyre of war ! 
'T was he who bade the raging tempest cease. 
Wrenched from his strings the harmony of peace, 
Muted the strings that made the discord — Wrong, 
And gave his spirit up in thund'rous song, 
Oh, mighty Master of the mighty lyre! 
Earth heard and trembled at thy strains of fire: 
Earth learned of thee what Heav'n already knew. 
And wrote thee down among the treasured few ! 

— Paid Laurence Dunbar, 1899 

From humble parentage and poverty, old Nature reared 

him, 
And the world beheld her ablest, noblest man ; 
Few were his joys, many and terrible his trials, 
But grandly he met them as only truly great souls can! 
Our Nation's Martyr, pure, honest, patient, tender — 
Thou who didst suflfer agony e'en for the slave — 
Our flag's defender, our brave, immortal teacher! 
I lay this humble tribute on thy honored grave. 

— Paul DeVere, i8pg 



READINGS, BECITATIONS. QUOTATIONS 49 

We rest in peace where these sad eyes 

Saw peril, strife, and pain; 
His was the nation's sacrifice. 

And ours the priceless gain. 

— John G. Whittier 

His patriotism, his integrir>-, his purit>-, his moderation 
will contribute largely to make the American people pa- 
triotic, honest, and upright. . . . His Life, his teach- 
ing, and his character will prolong the Ufe of the Re- 
public. 

— Isaac X. Arnold 

His mind was strong and deep, sincere and honest, pa- 
tient and enduring: ha\-ing no vices, and ha\-ing only 
negative defects, with many positive \irtues. His is a 
strong, honest, sagacious, manly, noble Ufe. He stands 
in the foremost ranks of men in all ages — their equal — 
one of the best types of this Qiristian civilization. 

—IV. H. Hcnidan 

There is in the whole histon.- of this Republic not one 
man, from whom we all — wherever bom and whatever 
our political opinions — can learn more instructive and 
more inspiring lessons as to what true patriotism is : and 
there is but one who is fully his peer in this respect. To 
be pitied is. indeed, the --Viiierican whose way of feeling 
and thinking will not allow him to look with infinite 
patriotic pride upon Abraham Lincoln. 

—H. E. VanHolst 

LixcoLX was the grandest figure of the fiercest ci\*il 
war. . . . Wealth could not purchase, power could 
not awe, this divine, this loving man. He loiew no fear 
except the fear of doing wrong. Hating slaver>-, pitying 
the master — seeking to conquer not persons, but preju- 
dices. He was the embodiment of the self-denial, the 



50 LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 

courage, the hope, and the nobility of the nation. He 
spoke, not to inflame, not to upbraid, but to convince. 
He raised his hands, not to strike, but in benediction. 

— Robert G. Ingersoll 

Lincoln was the humblest of the humble before his 
conscience, greatest of the great before history. 

— Castelar 

Abraham Lincoln was the vindication of poverty. He 
gave glory to the lowly. In the light of his life the 
cabin became conspicuous ; the commonest toil no longer 
common, and the poor man's hardship a road to honor. 
It put shame on the prejudice of wealth and birth, and 
dignity on common manhood. The poor received from 
him inspiring hope; he taught the humblest youth that 
there was for him a path to power. 

— Luther Laiiin Mills 



May one who fought in honor for the South 
Uncovered stand and sing by Lincoln's grave? 



He was the North, the South, the East, the West, 

The thrall, the master, all of us in one; 

There was no section that he held the best; 

His love shone as impartial as the sun; 

And so revenge appealed to him in vain. 

He smiled at it, as at a thing forlorn. 

And gently put it from him, rose and stood 

A moment's space in pain. 

Remembering the prairies and the corn 

And the glad voices of the field and wood. 

— Maurice Thompson, i8qS 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 51 

They bowed before the bier of him who had been 
prophet, priest and king to his people, who had struck 
the shackles from the slave, who had taught a higher 
sense of duty to the free men, who had raised the Nation 
to a loftier conception of faith and hope and charity. 

— James G. Blaine 

His was a name so pure, a life so grand. 

That Lincoln 's a magic name throughout the land. 

— Jos. C. Sindelar 

In his mentality, he shone in judgment, common sense, 
consistency, persistence and in knowledge of men. In 
his words, he was candid and frank, but accurate and 
concise, speaking sturdy Anglo-Saxon unadorned, pow- 
erful in its simplicity and the subdued enthusiasm of 
earnest thought. In his sentiments, he was kind and 
patient and brave. No leader ever more completely com- 
bined in his personality the graces of gentleness with 
rugged determination. In his morals. Truth was his 
star ; Honesty the vital air of his living. In his religion, 
he was faithful as a giant; Providence was his stay; he 
walked with God. 

— Luther LaHin Mills 

His constant thought was his country and how to 
serve it. 

— Charles Sumner 

His career teaches young men that every position of 
eminence is open before the diligent and worthy. 

— Bishop Matthew Simpson 

Such a life and character will be treasured forever as 
the sacred possession of the American people and of 
mankind. 

— James A. Garfield 



52 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

By his fidelity to the True, the Right, the Good, he 
gained not only favor and applause, but what is better 
than all, love. 

— J^. D. Howells 

He was warm-hearted; he was generous; he was mag- 
nanimous, he was most truly, as he afterwards said on a 
memorable occasion, "With malice toward none, with 
charity for all." 

— Alexander H. Stephens 

Let us build with reverent hands to the type of this sim- 
ple, but sublime life, in which all types are honored. 

— Henry W. Grady 

Lincoln was the purest, the most generous, the most 
magnanimous of men. 

— General W. T. Sherman 

His chief object, the ideal to which his whole soul was 
devoted, was the preservation of the Union. 

— Alexander H. Stephens 

O HONEST face, which all men knew ! 
O tender heart, but known to few ! 

—R. H. Stoddard 

Who can be what he was to the people, 

What he was to the State? 
Shall the ages bring us another 

As good and as great? 

— Phoebe Gary 

Lincoln was the greatest President in American his- 
tory, because in a time of revolution he comprehended 
the spirit of American institutions. 

— Lyman Abbott 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 53 

He was one of the few great rulers whose wisdom in- 
creased with his power, and whose spirit grew gentler 
and tenderer as his triumphs were multiplied. 

— James A. Gariield 

With all his disappointments from failures on the part 
of those to whom he had trusted command, and treachery 
on the part of those who had gained his confidence but 
to betray it, I never heard him utter a complaint, nor 
cast a censure for bad conduct or bad faith. It was his 
nature to find excuses for his adversaries. In his death 
the nation lost its greatest hero. 

— U. S. Grant 

The best way to estimate the value of Lincoln is to think 
what the condition of America would be today if he had 
never lived — never been President. 

— Walt Whitman 

He had a face and manner which disarmed suspicion, 
which inspired confidence, which confirmed good will. 

— R. W. Emerson 

The life of Lincoln should never be passed by in silence 
by old or young. He touched the log cabin and it be- 
came the palace in which greatness was nurtured. He 
touched the forest and it became to him a church in 
which the purest and noblest worship of God was ob- 
served. In Lincoln there was always some quality which 
fastened him to the people and taught them to keep time 
to the music of his heart. He reveals to us the beauty 
of plain backwoods honesty. 

— Prof. David Swing 

The shepherd of the people ! that old name that the best 
rulers ever craved. What ruler ever won it like this dead 
President of ours? He fed us with counsel when we 



54 LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 

were in doubt, with inspiration when we faltered, with 
caution when we would be rash, with calm, trustful 
cheerfulness through many an hour when our hearts 
were dark. He fed hungry souls all over the country 
with sympathy and consolation. He spread before the 
whole land feasts of great duty, devotion and patriotism, 
on which the land grew strong. He taught us the sac- 
redness of government, the wickedness of treason. He 
made our souls glad and vigorous with the love of Hb- 
erty that was his. 

— Rev. Phillips Brooks 



QUOTATIONS FROM LINCOLN 

WITH malice toward none, with charity for all, 
with firmness in the right, as God gives us to 
see the right, let us strive on to finish the work 
we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for 
him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, 
and his orphan ; to do all which may achieve and cherish 
a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all 
nations. 

I HAVE one vote, and I shall always cast that against 
wrong as long as I live. 

In every event of life, it is right makes might. 

The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every 
battlefield and patriot grave, to every living heart and 
hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the 
chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they 
will be, by the angels of our nature. 

Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that 
faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we under- 
stand it. 



READINGS, RECITATIONS, QUOTATIONS 55 

Gold is good in its place ; but loving, brave, patriotic men 
are better than gold. 

God must like common people, or he would not have 
made so many of them. 

The reasonable man has long since agreed that intem- 
perance is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all 
evils among mankind. 

The purposes of the Almighty are perfect and must pre- 
vail, though we erring mortals may fail accurately to 
predict them in advance. 

No MEN living are more worthy to be trusted than those 
who toil up from poverty. 

Of THE people, when they rise in mass in behalf of the 
Union and the liberties of their country, truly may it 
be said : 'The gates of hell cannot prevail against them.' 

No MAN is good enough to govern another man without 
that other man's consent. 

Let not him who is homeless pull down the house of 
another, but let him labor diligently to build one for him- 
self. 

You may fool all of the people some of the time, and 
some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all 
of the people all of the time. 

Better give your path to the dog — even killing the dog 
would not cure the bite. 

The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself 
in every way he can, never suspecting that anybody is 
hindering him. 



56 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

I SAY "try," for if we never try, we never succeed. 

The pioneer in any movement is not generally ihe best 
man to bring that movement to a successful issue. 

Have confidence in yourself, a valuable if not indis- 
pensable quality. 

Let us judge not, that we be not judged. 

When you have an elephant on hand, and he wants to 
run away, better let him run. 

It is best not to swap horses in the middle of a stream. 

This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people 
who inhabit it. 

A NATION may be said to consist of its territory, its peo- 
ple, and its laws. 

When you can't remove an obstacle, plough around it! 

God bless my mother! All I am or hope to be I owe 
to her. 

I DO not think much of a man who is not wiser today than 
he was yesterday. 

Suspicion and jealousy never did help any man in any 
situation. 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 

THE SAVIOR OF OUR FLAG AND COUNTRY 

Laura R. Smith 

a patriotic cantata, drill and medley in three 
scenes for a whole school 

This entertainment is especially adapted for primary and inter- 
mediate grades, although pupils of all grades may participate. 

CHAEACTEES 

Six Sailor Boys "^ 

Six Soldier Boys VScene I 

Messenger J 

Several Drummer Boys 

Any Even Number of Soldiers 

An Army Captain 

Scott, a sentinel 

Old Soldier 

Several Negro Boys 



Scene II 



Three Boys 

Two Girls ^Scene III 

Seven Small Children 



}' 



SCENE I— Before the War 

Six Sailor Boys enter from the right, Six Soldier Boys 
enter from the left. They march forward in two Hnes, 
carrying flags, pause and sing. Cross flags or wave them 
while singing the last four lines. 

57 



58 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Sailor and Soldier Boys (sing) : 

Tune: Columbia, the gem of the ocean 

The flag of our nation we're bringing, 

The banner for me and for you ; 
As songs of dear Lincoln we're singing. 

We stand 'neath the Red, White and Blue, 
O flag of a nation united. 

We love your bright folds and your stars, 
We march 'neath the bonnie bright banner, 

This good land of freedom is ours. 
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue, 
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue, 
The flag of our nation forever. 
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue ! 

See, the bonnie bright banners are streaming, 

We wave them all high in the air. 
The Red, White and Blue now is gleaming, 

Beloved by all men everywhere. 
Oh, long may the banner be waving. 

Upheld by soldiers and sailors true; 
Three cheers for the flag of our nation. 

We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue, 
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue, 
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue, 
The flag of our nation forever. 
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue. 

(Boys march forward and hack, Soldiers in one line 
abreast, Sailors in another, follozving. Lines march right 
and left. Sailors from one side of stage, Soldiers from 
the other, pass each other several times at center of stage. 
Halt at center of stage, the two lines facing each other, 
close ranks at hack and spread out at front, forming an 
open triangle, thus A.) 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 59 

Soldiers : 

We're the boys of the land! 

We'll always be true 
To the flag of the Union, 

The Red, White and Blue. 

Sailors : 

We're the boys of the sea! 

Wherever we sail 
The Red, White and Blue 

Shall weather each gale. 

All {waving flags) : 

The boys of the land and the boys of the sea, 
Sing a song for our banner, the flag of the free, 
The Union forever, for me and for you. 
Three cheers for our banner, the Red, White and 
Blue. 

All (sing, zvaving flags during chorus) : 

HURRAH FOR THE FLAG !* 

There are many flags in many lands, 

There are flags of ev'ry hue. 
But there is no flag, however grand, 

Like our own Red, White and Blue. 

Chorus: Then hurrah for the flag I our country's flag. 
Its stripes and white stars, too; 
There is no flag in any land 

Like our own Red, White and Blue ! 

{Enter Messenger from the back, marches between 
the two lines to the front. Boys form in semicircle be- 
hind him.) 

*By Mary H. Howliston. From Cat Tails and Other Tales, by 
this author, in which book music for words given here will be found. 
Price, paper binding, twenty-five cents ; cloth binding, forty cents. 



60 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Messenger : 

What threatens the Union 

In this land of ours ? 
There appears a new flag, 

Of the Stars and Bars. 
"United we stand, 

Divided we fall." 
Who now can save us? 

On whom shall we call? 

First Soldier: 
From Lincoln I have come today 
Our Lincoln! 
With justice he will take his place, 

Our Lincoln! 
With courage on his noble brow, 
He will protect the Union now, 
We all salute; to him we bow. 
Our Lincoln! 

(All give Flag Salute.) 

Messenger : 

From Lincoln I have come today 
To call for Volunteers! 

Other messengers are on their way 
To call for Volunteers. 

Shall we now see our flag bowed low ? 

No, to meet the Southerners we'll go. 

Marching while the bugles blow 
The call for Volunteers ! 

All: 

The time has come for strife and war, 
Blow, bugles, blow! 

The soldier boys are called once more, 
Blow, bugles, blow! 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 61 

Bear your message far and wide, 
Ring out through all the countryside, 
We are a Nation's hope and pride, 
Blow, bugles, blow! 

(Exit All, as bugle call is heard.) 



SCENE II— The War 

Several boys with drums march in front of tents, which 
have been arranged on the stage. They sing, beating 
drums softly during chorus, and march around the tents. 

Tune : marching through Georgia 

Marching toward the battlefield, 
We go with sword and drum; 

Marching toward the battlefield, 
O, see the army come. 

Rat-a-tat, a-rat-a-tat. 

So loudly beats the drum. 

While we are singing of Lincoln. 

Chorus: Hurrah! hurrah! who'll be a Volunteer? 
Hurrah ! hurrah ! O what have we to fear ? 
Join the chorus every one, the army 

marches on, 
While we are singing of Lincoln. 

Marching on to victory, 

O, hear the drums beat low, 
Marching on to victory. 

Now see the army go. 
Wave the bonnie stars and stripes. 
Up high where all may see, 
While we are singing of Lincoln. 

Chorus: Hurrah! hurrah! etc. 



62 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

(Drummer Boys retire to tents. Enter Soldier Boys, 
carrying guns. They are led by a Captain, who gives the 
commands in the following drill:) 

Boys march by 2's, 4's or 6's and line up for drill. 

Drill 

Salute! Gun held in right hand, top resting on 
shoulder, raise left hand to forehead. 

Present, arms! Hold gun in front with right hand, 
grasp with left hand. 

Order, arms ! Large end of gun on floor, gun held by 
right hand, left hand at side. 

Shoulder, arms! Guns on right shoulder. 

Port, arms ! Grasp gun in center, with right hand, 
hold diagonally across chest. 

Extend, arms right! Hold with both hands, right 
arm extended, left hand resting on chest. 

Extend, arms left ! Same with left arm extended, etc. 

Aim! Rest gun on shoulder, raised with both hands. 

About, face ! Face around. 

Forward, march! March about tents, while tune of 
tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching, is softly 
played. Retire in or back of tents. 

{A sentinel, Scott, comes out to keep guard, walks 
up and dozvn many times, and finally leans up against one 
of the tents and falls asleep. He is discovered by the 
Captain, zvho comes on stage.) 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 63 

Captain (comes forward) : 

What ho ! the guard is asleep ! 

What, then, if the enemy come, 
Creeping stealthily over the hill 

With never the sound of drum ? 
By surprise our camp they'd take. 
Sleeping guard, awake! awake! 

(Scott awakes and salutes Captain.) 

Captain : 

For this ofifense you shall be tried, 

'Twas indeed a sad mistake. 
Who shall guard the camp tonight. 

If no guard here is awake? 

Soldiers (come forward) : 

'Tis wearisome the watch to keep, 
Alas ! alas ! he fell asleep ! 

(Scott is led off by Soldiers to be tried by court- 
martial. ) 

Old Soldier (enters) : 

Scott is a bonnie soldier boy : 

He's honest, brave and true; 
He is worthy still to bear 

The Red and White and Blue. 
Alas ! alas ! he will come home, 

Sentenced soon to die, 
Beloved by all his comrades, now 

With bowed heads they march by. 

(Re-enter All, singing one verse of just before the 
battle, mother.) 



64 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Captain (to Scott) : 

There is but one who can save you now ; 

From a cabin home he came, 
He is our honored President, 

And Lincoln is his name! 
Then to our honored President, 

For pardon we will go, 
We will march if there be hope 

No more with heads bowed low. 

(Exit All.) 

(Boys, in make-up of negroes enter. They sing the 
following song, and imitate banjo playing while singing 
the chorus.) 

THE SUNNY SOUTHLAND* 

'Way down in the sunny Southland, 
Lives the little black boy, you know, 

His mother sings a lullaby, 
To the tune of the old banjo. 

Chorus: Plunkety-plunk, plunkety-plunk, 

Down in the cotton-field we go. 
Plunkety-plunk, plunkety-plunk, 

Plunkety-plunk, plunk-plunk, banjo. 

'Way down in the sunny Southland, 
Where the sky is so bright and blue, 

The black boy on the banjo strings 
Likes to play the same tune to you. 

Chorus: Plunkety-plunk, etc. 

♦Music for this will be found under Songs in another part of this 
book. 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 65 

'Way down in the sunny Southland 
You will hear this sweet lullaby, 

The wee black boy must go to sleep, 
For the Sandman is passing by. 

Chorus: Plunkety-plunk, etc. 

Soldiers (return, shouting) : 

Hurrah! Scott is pardoned. 

{They repeat the last four lines of their first song and 
march off.) 

SCENE III — After the War 

Lincoln's picture is placed on a ladder or easel, the 
children that recite placing flags and garlands of flowers 
about it. 

recitation by three boys with three flags 

First Boy: 

The flag that speaks of men made free, 

The flag of sword and drum, 
'Tis the bonniest banner in all the world, 
The flag of battles won. 

Second Boy : 

The flag that speaks of Gettysburg, 

Upheld by faithful men 
Amid the battle's storm and strife. 

Shall wave for us again. 

Third Boy : 

The flag that waves o'er Lincoln now. 

Means freedom for the slave ; 
So waves the bonnie stars and stripes 
O'er many a patriot's grave. 



66 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

All: 

No North, no South, no East, no West, 
A union of all states is best ; 
One flag for all is a nation's pride, 
The Blue and the Gray lay side by side. 

A Girl (comes on stage and recites) : 

OUR HERO 

Today the flags are flying. 

For a hero that we love; 
We all sing of Lincoln, 

While waves the flag above. 
Bring out the bonnie banners. 

Flags of shining stripes and stars, 
Lincoln was our country's hero, 

And the victory is ours. 

Another Girl (enters and recites) : 

OUR LINCOLN 

Crown him with wreaths of evergreen, 

Our Lincoln. 
Bring fairest flowers ever seen. 

For Lincoln. 
Crown him today with fragrant flowers, 
The war is o'er, the victory is ours. 
Above all men this great man towers. 

Our Lincoln. 

Crown him with gentle words of love. 

Our Lincoln ; 
And place the banners high above 

For Lincoln. 
Raise high the flag of liberty, 
For one who set the slaves all free. 
Ring out his praises from sea to sea. 

Our Lincoln. 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 67 

(Children carrying Hags and flowers and having 
shields on their breasts, each bearing one letter to spell 
the zvord ''Lincoln/' enter. The cards bearing the letters 
are hung from the neck, and zvhen children enter are 
blank side toward audience. Each child turns his letter to 
view of the audience after reciting his lines and disposing 
of his Hozvers and flag. They stand in order, and zvhen 
through reciting, place the flowers and Hags around the 
portrait of Lincoln.) 

L: 

Lincoln's name we all repeat, 

And bring for him our flowers sweet. 

I: 

In peace or war a nation's pride. 
We place our banners by his side. 

N: 

No North, no South today is seen, 
We bring our wreaths of evergreen. 

C: 

Crown him with honest words of love. 
And place the stars and stripes above. 

O: 

One nation and one flag is best. 
Place flowers where our hero rests. 

L: 

Lincoln, we all love to bring 
Tributes, while of thee we sing. 

N: 

No more he hears the bugle's call, 
We scatter flowers over all. 

All {return, grouping themselves nicely and sing) : 

LINCOLN DEAR* 

Wave the bonnie banners high, 
O Lincoln dear! 

♦Music for this will be found uader Songs in another part of this 
book. 



68 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

A host of children passing by, 

O Lincoln dear, 
Will sing to you their sweetest song, 
As they now proudly march along. 
For laurels unto you belong, 

O Lincoln dear. 

Chorus: Wave the banners high, 

The Red, the White, the Blue; 
Wave the banners high. 

To Lincoln dear we're true. 
O wave the bonnie banners, 

How proudly they all sway, 
We wave the Red, the White, the Blue, 

For Lincoln dear today. 

Bonnie flags shall crown you now, 

O Lincoln dear. 
We place them by your noble brow, 

O Lincoln dear, 
And fairer far than monument. 
The love from our young hearts is sent, 
You were our honored President, 

O Lincoln dear. 

Chorus: Wave the banners, etc. 



A FLAG EXERCISE 

L. F. Armitage 

for eight little girls and boys, each carrying a flag 

First Child : 

What flag is this? 

Second : 

This is our country's flag, 
This flag so fine. 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 69 

It is my father's flag 
And it is mine. 



Third: 

What are its colors? 

Fourth ; 

White stars in a field of blue, 
Stripes white and red. 

See our ''Red, White and Blue" 
Waving o'erhead (waving Hags), 

Fifth : 

What do these colors mean? 

Sixth : 

White means, Be always pure! 

Red means, Be brave ! 
Blue means, Be ever true! 

Long may it wave. 

Seventh : 

Why are the flags up today? 



Eighth 



All these United States, 

Many in one. 
Honor this glorious name — 

Abraham Lincoln. 



70 LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 

All (sing) : 

Tune: auld lang syne 

We wave* the flag, the bonny flag 

Of red and white and blue. 
This flag that floats o'er land and sea, 

To it we will be true. 
Then* hail the flag, this bonny flag, 

We'll give it three times three; 
God bless the land that owns this flag, 

The land of liberty. 
•Waving flags. 

— Primary Education 



THE WOODEN FIRE-SHOVEL 

Clara J. Denton 
A dialogue for three girls and two boys 

CHAKACTERS 

•Mrs. Lincoln, mother of the family 
Mr. Lincoln, father of same 

Sarah, stepdaughter of Mrs. Lincoln and sister to "Abe" 
John Johnston, 
Matilda Johnston, 



? Mrs. Lincoln *s children 



COSTUMES 

Mrs. Lincoln: Dark calico gown very plainly made, wide ging- 
ham apron, hair parted in the middle, combed straight back from 
the face, and arranged in knot at back. Let this character be 
taller than the other girls, if possible. 

Mr. Lincoln: Blue overalls and blouse. This character should 
be taller than the other boys. 

Sarah: Short, plainly-made calico gown; hair arranged in two 
long braids, fastened together by dark thread. 

John Johnston: Blue overalls and blouse, battered fur cap. 

Matilda Johnston: Gown like Sarah's although different in 
color, hair also done up like Sarah 's. 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 71 

SCENE 

Very plain interior. Pine table at center. Split-bottom rocker 
near it. Two old-fashioned wooden chairs placed a few feet apart 
at right-front, the same at left-front. At left-rear is a pine cup- 
board, on the open shelves of which are some cheap earthen dishes. 
This cupboard must be placed so that the characters can pass be 
hind it to reach the suggested fireplace. Several skins of animals 
may be tacked about the walls; a pair of deer-antlers should also 
be in evidence. An old-fashioned gun with powder-horn might be 
hung in a conspicuous position. A wool spinning-wheel would add 
to the old-time effect. 

Mrs. Lincoln and Sarah are discovered; the former, 
seated in the rocker, is mending a pair of ragged overalls, 
which, as she talks, she from time to time holds up and 
spreads out as if looking for holes. Sarah, at rear of 
stage, is sweeping vigorously. 

Mrs. Lincoln : Dear me, Sarah ! what a dust you do 
kick up (coughs) ; you'll choke me to death. 

Sarah (sweeping more gently) : Excuse me, but you 
see, the dirt is all here, and I suppose the only way to 
get it out is to kick it up ; but I'll try to be more careful. 

Voice (behind scenes) : Abe, Abe, O, Abe. 

Mrs. Lincoln : How strange it is that I just can't 
teach John not to stand and call out that way. I've tried 
ever since he was a baby to make him go to anyone that 
he wants. 

Sarah : I suppose he thinks it doesn't matter as long 
as he's just calling Abe. 

Mrs. Lincoln : But it does matter, because it's a bad 
habit, and a bad habit is mighty easy to get and mighty 
hard to lose. I don't have a bit of trouble teaching all 
those things to Abe. Dear me, he's such a good, obedient 
boy; I don't believe he'll live to grow up (sighs). 

Sarah : O, yes he will, mother ; he's too full of mis- 
chief to die ; besides, he's the strongest boy for his age 
that there is anywhere around here. He picked Matilda 
and me both up yesterday and carried us clear to the 
woods. We kicked and screamed (laughs) and squirmed, 



72 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

but oh my! we're just like a pair of dolls to him. He 
set us down at the edge of the woods, then started on a 
run. We started too, but he was in the barn and clear 
at the top of the corn-stalks stacked in the mow before 
we were half way to the house (laughs). Don't worry 
about his dying, mother. 

Voice (again) : Abe, Abe, O, Abe. 

Mrs. Lincoln : What shall I do with that boy? 

Sarah : Don't do anything. Just let him keep right 
on howling until he gets tired of it. 

Mrs. Lincoln : But I'm tired of hearing him. 

Sarah : Shall I go and make him keep still? (Laughs 
and gesticulates,) 

John (enters at right) : Where's Abe, mother? I've 
been calling and calling him. (Sits in chair at right- 
front.) 

Sarah: Yes, we thought we heard something. 

Mrs. Lincoln : Take off your hat, my son. I do wish 
you didn't need telling that so often. 

John (removes hat) : But I want Abe. 

Mrs. Lincoln: What for? 

John : To help me carry in the wood. There's a big 
storm coming. 

Mrs. Lincoln : Well, he isn't here. 

John: Isn't here? What do you mean ? I didn't see 
him go away. 

Mrs. Lincoln : No, he went away while you were 
gone to the woods with your father's lunch. This is his 
birthday, so I let him walk to Gentryville to get me some 
thread. You folks wear out your clothes so fast that 
it takes a lot of thread to keep you from being bundles 
of rags. 

John (sulkily) : And must I get that wood in all 
alone ? 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 73 

Mrs. Lincoln : That won't hurt you. Don't you re- 
member the other day when you had the tooth-ache, Abe 
got in all the wood and wouldn't let you do a thing? 

Matilda (enters at left from behind cupboard) : Hurry 
up, John, and bring in some wood, the fire is getting low. 
Don't you feel chilly, mother? 

Mrs. Lincoln : Yes, it is getting cold here. Run 
along, John, that's a good boy. Abe will get it all in to- 
morrow night, I'm sure. 

Sarah : Yes, or else when he's rich and famous maybe 
he'll let you live with him. Mother is so sure he's bound 
to be a great man. 

John (rising) : O, well, Abe's all right, I don't mind. 

Mrs. Lincoln : Yes, you children like to laugh at the 
things I say about Abe, but I know any boy — or girl 
either, for that matter — who's so anxious to learn, can't 
help amounting to something some day. You just wait 
and see. 

Mr. Lincoln (enters at right) : What's that, mother? 
What shall we see if we wait ? Guess we'll have to wait 
a good while if we see anything very great around these 
diggings. 

Sarah : O, ma's just bragging about Abe again. 

Mr. Lincoln (goes to Mrs. Lincoln and lays hand 
on her shoulder) : You're good to the chap, SaUie, that's 
a fact. I'm glad I brought you here to be a mother to 
him. But sometimes I wonder if it's just the thing for 
you to encourage him to do so much reading, for I know 
you do encourage him. 

Matilda : I should say she does ! Why, the rest of 
us young ones have to go around on our tip-toes and 
talk in whispers when Abe gets his nose in a book. 

]\Ir. Lincoln : Isn't that a little hard on the others, 
Sallie? 

Matilda (quickly): Oh, my! we don't mind. We 



74 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

like to have Abe read, and we think he's mighty good to 
tell the rest of us all about what he reads. 

Sarah : That he does. You just ought to hear him, 
pa, tell the story of Pilgrim's Progress. 

Matilda: O, pa wouldn't like that as well as he 
would ^sop's Fables; just get him to tell you some of 
those stories some time. 

John: And all about Robinson Crusoe, too, pa, and 
the queer times he had. You'd like that, I know. 

Mr. Lincoln: Well, it may be all right, but I don't 
like to see a big, strapping boy like Abe spending his 
time over books, to say nothing of the hours he wastes 
running around borrowing them. Why, I'll bet he has 
read every book in this county. 

Mrs. Lincoln: So he has! He was wishing just 
the other day that he knew of some more books that he 
could borrow : he said he had ''read every book that he 
had heard of within a circuit of fifty miles." 

Matilda: And, pa, if you could only hear him when 
he climbs on the table and makes speeches. I just tell 
you, Abe is heaps of fun. 

Mr. Lincoln : I dare say he is, but that doesn't get 
the work done. It's all right for sickly fellows to be 
spending their time getting learning, but a big, strong 
fellow like Abe will always be able to earn his living 
by hard work. 

Mrs. Lincoln : Of course he'll be able to, but you'll 
find out he'll not do it. I tell you there are other plans 
laid away in that big head of his. 

Mr. Lincoln : Well, well, he'll have you to thank if 
he ever does amount to anything, that's sure. (Shivers.) 
But it's cold in here, what on earth is the matter with 
your fire? 

John (aside) : Time for me to run. (Exit at right, 
hurriedly.) 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 75 

Mr. Lincoln (turning tozuard cupboard) : It's funny 
you young ones can't look after the fire when ma's busy. 

John, you go bring in some wood! (Looks around.) O, 
he's gone after it, I guess — about time. (Disappears be- 
hind cupboard.) 

Mrs. Lincoln (to girls) : Don't tell pa that John 
was waiting for Abe to help him. If you do they'll both 
get a scolding, maybe. 

Matilda: And you, too, for letting Abe go away. 
(All laugh.) 

(John enters at right, carrying zvood, zvhich he drops 
noisily behind cupboard.) 

Mrs. Lincoln (starting up) : John, why do you drop 
the wood in that noisy way? (John re-appears and 
comes dozvn.) After all my talking to you, it does seem 
as if you might learn to be more quiet about it. 

Matilda: Yes, when Abe 

Sarah (catching her by the arm) : Hush, Matilda! 
if you keep on (they come dozvn to right front) you'll 
make John hate Abe. Don't hold him up to John all 
the time as a pattern. 

Matilda (sighs) : But, you know, Sarah, Abe is so 
different. He never does any of those disagreeable things 
that John is always doing. I remember, when we first 
came here, ma told Abe to take of¥ his hat when he 
came into the house, and she never has had to tell him the 
second time; but she is still trying to hammer it into 
John. 

Sarah : Yes, dear, I know, and Abe is so kind to 
everyone and so thoughtful of other people's comfort. 
I am so glad he is my brother, and I only wish I were 
half as good and kind as he. 

Matilda: Yes, and so jolly, too. 

Sarah : Only sometimes he looks so sad — that must 
be when he's hungry for more books. 



76 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

John (coming towards them) : What are you two 
girls talking about over here? 

(Mr. Lincoln appears from behind cupboard, car- 
rying a large wooden shovel, the blade of which is cov- 
ered zvith black iigures. He comes down, confronting 
Mrs. Lincoln.) 

Mr. Lincoln : Mother, what in the world is this ? 

Mrs. Lincoln (laughing) : O, those are Abe's sums. 

Mr. Lincoln : Sums ! I vum ! Sums ! What did he 
make them with? 

Mrs. Lincoln : A piece of burnt wood. 

Mr. Lincoln : I vum ! Sums ! Where did he learn 
to do sums? 

Mrs. Lincoln: O, he picked it up. 

Mr. Lincoln: I bet you taught him! didn't you, 
Sallie? Come now, own up. 

Mrs. Lincoln: Well, I helped him a little, but he's 
far ahead of me now; he's ciphered clear through that 
old ragged arithmetic that's been kicking around the 
house. 

Mr. Lincoln (turning shovel over) : But both sides 
are covered. What's he going to do now? 

Mrs. Lincoln : O, he'll take the shaving knife and 
whittle it all off, then he'll have a ''new slate," as he 
says. 

Mr. Lincoln (holding up shovel): A new slate! 
Sums ! Well, I vum ! 

(Whistle heard behind scenes.) 

Mrs. Lincoln (rising) : There he comes now. Put 
the shovel away, and don't scold him, pa. 

Mr. Lincoln: Sums! I vum! (Exit quickly behind 
cupboard.) 



Curtain 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 77^ 

THE PROPHECY 

Clara J. Denton 

A DIALOGUE FOR ONE GIRL AND TWO BOYS 

CHARACTERS 

John Thomas Helen 

COSTUMES 

The characters wear suits made as nearly as possible in the style 
of seventy years ago. For hints as to proper styles consult 
pictures in old books — a brief description is, however, given. 

The boys' trousers are long and loose; the jackets are short and 
tight-fitting, with small sleeves. The jackets are made open in 
front, and short, close-fitting vests, buttoning to the neck, are worn 
under them. White turn-over collars surmount the whole. These 
suits may be made of the cheapest material. Or, if preferred, the 
boys may be arrayed in blue overalls and ''jumpers"; this will 
save much labor and inconvenience. 

The girl wears a short, full-skirted gown of pink calico, the 
waist made plain, fitting closely and buttoning up the back. The 
hair should hang in two long braids, the ends tied together with a 
green ribbon. 

SCENE 

The stage is set to represent a schoolroom, with blackboards and 
maps on the walls, and cheap plain benches and desks in an orderly 
arrangement. A small pine table, on which are some books and 
a hand-bell, is in the center. Behind this table is an old-fashioned 
wooden chair for the teacher. Shabby and battered books are 
piled neatly on the various desks. 

John (enters at right, comes to one of the desks, seats 
himself, and opens a book) : Here is this miserable 
sum again. I suppose Fve just got to get it done before 
the teacher comes ; but I can't make head or tail of the 
thing. Let me see (reads) : *'If the half of four be 
three, what will three-fourths of twenty be?" (Closes 
book zvith a bang.) Was there ever any stuff like that? 
Everybody knows that half of four can't be three, so 
what's the use of wearing out a fellow's brains, 'spe- 



78 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

cially when he's Hke me and hasn't any to spare, over 
a silly thing like that? O, gee, I believe I'll run away. 
I hate this school, school, all the time. If father would 
only let me stay at home and plough. 

Thomas (enters at right): What's that. Jack? 
Didn't I hear you say something about ploughing? 

John (rises and leaves desk, both boys come down) : 
Yes, I was just wishing I could stay at home and plough 
instead of coming to school and worrying my head over 
fractions. I hate them. 

Thomas (goes to another desk and takes up book) : 
I don't mind fractions, but here's this awful geography 
lesson. Teacher said if I didn't have it this morning 
I'd have to stay in all the noon hour and learn it. What 
good will it ever do me, I'd like to know, to get the 
names of all these islands in my head? I don't mean to 
be a sailor, and if I should be I guess I'd learn the 
names of places fast enough when I came to them. 

John (puts his hand on Thomas' shoulder) : Say, 
Tom, let's run away where they can't make us go to 
school. We know enough now. 

Thomas : So we do ; we can write our names, and 
say the multiplication table. What more need a fellow 
know? 

John : We can work for the farmers until we get a 
little money and then 

Helen (enters at right and comes dozvn) : O boys, 
aren't you ashamed? I overheard your bad plans; how 
can you talk that way about going to school instead of 
being glad that you have the chance to go? 

John: Glad of the chance? Ho, ho, that's funny. 

Thomas: I should say so, as if anybody was ever 
glad to go to school. (Both boys laugh heartily. Helen 
stands silently gazing at them.) 

John: Why, that beats everything! "Glad to go to 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 79 

school!" I don't believe there ever was such a thing as 
a fellow being glad to go to school. 

Helen : I'm sure I'm glad. 

Thomas {snapping his fingers scornfully and turning 
azvay) : Yes, but you're a girl. I suppose it's all right 
for a girl to be glad. 

John : I said I didn't believe there was such a thing 
as a fellow being glad to go to school. You're not a 
fellow, are you? {Both boys laugh and cross over.) 

Thomas : If I was a girl I dare say I'd like to go to 
school. Of course, that's better than rocking the baby 
and washing the dishes — but fellows! I tell you they 
have better ways to pass their time, eh! Jackie? {Pokes 
him in the ribs. Both laugh.) 

Helen: Well, it's a lucky thing for the world that 
all boys aren't like you, else where would our great men 
come from if all the boys were as wnling to remain great 
know-nothings as you two are? 

John: O, who wants to be great? Great men have 
to work, and to sit up nights and worry about things. I 
rather be a plough-boy than a great man any time. 

Thomas : So would I ! Nothing to worry about, just 
follow the horse and keep the plough straight. 

Helen : Well, there's one thing of which both of you 
may be pretty sure. 

Both: What's that? 

Helen : You are in a fair way to get what you want. 
You will both be plough-boys until you are too old to 
hold the plough, and then you can go to the poorhouse, 
where the "great men" whom you despise will make 
laws to take care of you. 

Thomas: That's just it; now you are coming around 
to John's statement. We will not have to worry ; others 
will do that, you see. 

Helen {impatiently) : Boys, why don't you brace up 
and study as you ought to? What's the use of all this 



80 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

foolish talk? You know you don't mean a word of it! 
{Goes up stage,) 

John : We do mean it, too, don't we, Tom? 

Thomas : You're the one that talks foolishness. You 
said some boys would be *'glad of our chance to go to 
school." 

Helen (coming down quickly) : Yes, and it's true, 
too. I heard my father telling last night about a boy 
living out in the woods beyond Gentryville who'd give 
almost anything for your chance. He's never been to 
school but a few months in his whole life, and — 

Thomas: O, no wonder he thinks he'd like it, he 
doesn't know anything about it. I thought it was fun, 
too, when I was in the primer class. 

John : Yes, so did I. 

Helen : Well, he's beyond the primer class, I tell 
you. He knows the old Webster spelling book all by 
heart, father says. 

John: How'd he learn it if he hasn't been to school? 
Your stories don't hitch very well, Miss Preachie. 

Helen : He learned it all by himself, lying on the 
floor nights in front of the big fireplace. They are too 
poor to have even a grease light. 

Thomas: Must think a lot of that old spelling book. 
(Both laugh.) 

Helen : Of course he thinks a lot of it. He thinks 
a lot of any book. Father heard a man telling down at 
the store that this boy cut four cords of wood for some 
one, just to get a piece of a book. 

John : O, wanted to read the Arabian Nights, prob- 
ably. 

Helen : But it wasn't the Arabian Nights that he 
bought; it was the Life of Washington. 

Thomas: What's the use of his reading the Life of 
Washington? He's nothing but poor, white trash — too 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXEKCISES 81 

poor, you say, even to have a grease light. He'll never 
be anybody. 

Helen : Don't you be too sure of that. I tell you 
that boy will be a great man. Some day you'll hear of 
him yet. 

John : Just because he was fool enough to cut four 
cords of wood for a piece of a book ? 

Thomas: Well, I'd have had the whole book or 
nothing. 

John: So would I {sneering). Why he was a fool. 
O, yes, we'll hear of him, of course. We'll read about 
him in the back part of the spelling book where the 
blank leaves are. But what's his name, do you know ? 

Helen : Yes, father told me. His name is Abraham 
Lincoln : remember it, boys, for I am quite sure you 
will hear it again some day. 

Thomas: Of course we'll remember it; couldn't for- 
get it if we tried. A boy that was as big a greeny as 
that. 

John : I tell you, Helen, the next time that you have 
to write one of those things which you like so well — a 
composition — you can write it about "The Two Cuts, or 
The Wood That Was Cut for a Cut Book." My! but 
that will be fine. (Both laugh boisterously.) 

Helen : Well, you may laugh, boys, but you'll find 
there'll be plenty of people to write about him, and it 
may be it will be done while you are yet alive to read the 
books, and more than that — 

(Shouts heard from behind scenes.) 

John (running oif at right) : Come on, Tom, I hear 
the boys forming for "There, old cat" ; we'll be too late. 

Thomas : But, how about your sum and my geog- 
raphy lesson? The teacher'll do something dreadful 
to us. 

John (calling back over his shoulder) : Bother on 
them, we'll have time to study after school calls: if we 



82 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

don't, who cares? Let Abraham Lincoln do the study- 
ing while we are having fun. Come on, come on. (Exit 
at right.) 

Helen : Don't go, Tom ; stay and have a perfect 
lesson for once. 

Thomas : O, I've heard preaching enough for one 
morning. (Exit at right, running.) 

Helen : That's the way it always ends. If I try to 
have them mend their ways, they just make fun of me 
for ''preaching." (Goes to a desk and takes up book, 
opens it and sits at desk.) I'm only a girl, of course, 
but I am going to imitate poor Abe by trying to get a 
little knowledge into my head. But what foolish boys 
they are, and some day when Abraham Lincoln is a 
great man and everyone is talking about the wonderful 
things he is doing, John and Tom will be standing 
around whittling sticks and growling because they 
couldn't be as ''lucky as Abraham Lincoln." Well, if / 
am anywhere around, I'll tell them of the things they 
said this morning. I know I shall never forget them. 
(Becomes intent on book.) 

Curtain 

CAPTAIN LINCOLN 

Clara J. Denton 

A dialogue for five boys 
CHARACTERS 
Captain Lincoln 
Lieutenant Dash Sergeant Free 

Private Dunn Gerolomo, the Indian 

COSTUMES 
Soldiers : For the four soldiers, suitable military outfits. 

Indian: If a wig of long black hair is obtainable, part the 
hair and make into two heavy braids, twisting yellow or red flan- 
nel through the braids which hang down close to the face on either 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXEECISES 83 

side. If a wig is impossible, decorate a strip of pasteboard with 
chicken feathers and fasten it around the head. Wear a brightly 
colored blanket thrown over a pair of overalls and dark cotton 
shirt. Wear moccasins. Carry old-fashioned gun. 

The character of Lincoln must be taken by boy much taller than 
the others. 

SCENE 
Camp; tent in foreground with flap up, showing rude bed, gun, 
knapsack, etc. 

Lieutenant Dash and Sergeant Free are discovered 
lying at full length not far from tent. 

Lieutenant (rising) : Well, I must say, I'm mighty 
tired lying 'round here waiting for that boat to come. 

Sergeant (yazvns and rolls over) : Guess we'll never 
get where the Indians are if we wait for that boat. Wish 
we could all swim across the river. Captain Lincoln's 
getting mighty tired of waiting, too. 

Lieutenant : No wonder ! Such an unruly lot as he 
has to hold in check here. 

Sergeant: Yes, think of his being blamed for that 
rowdy crowd breaking into the storehouse and drinking 
up all the whiskey. He didn't know a thing about it 
until it was all over. 

Lieutenant (walking up and down) : Yes, but you 
see that's the way things go ; he's at the head of the com- 
pany and he just has to stand the blame for all their 
meannesses. I should think they'd be a little careful 
of their doings for they all like him, or seem to, anyway. 

Sergeant: You see, they just didn't think, that's the 
trouble with them. 

Lieutenant: Perhaps they'll be more careful after 
this, that is if they like him as well as they pretend to. 

Sergeant (jumping up) : Oh, that's all real ; they like 
him, you can depend on that. Didn't you ever hear how 
he came to be captain ? 

Lieutenant: No, I have often wondered about it, 
for he's young for that position. Tell me all abouc it if 
you can. (Seats himself on ground near door of tent.) 



84 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Sergeant : Well, it was this way ; it's not a very long 
story, but I might as well sit down. (Sits on other side 
of door.) You see, there were two fellows put up: 
Kirkpatrick and Lincoln. The vote was taken in a field, 
by directing the fellows at the command "march," to 
gather around the one they wanted for captain. The 
other fellow was a good deal older than Lincoln and I 
s'pose most folks would say he was better fitted to be 
captain, but's sure's you live a good big majority 
went over to Lincoln's side. And I never saw a fellow 
so tickled as Lincoln was! (Slapping his knee with his 
right hand.) 

Lieutenant : Well, now, they ought to stand by him 
and not cut up any more rowdy tricks, to have him dis- 
graced by wearing a wooden sword. Better talk to them 
just as soon as you get a chance. 

Sergeant: I will, sir, that I will. (Enter Private 
Dunn at left. He conies down and salutes.) 

Private: You just ought to have been up the road 
with the boys a couple of hours ago. I tell you, we had 
heaps of fun. Talk about Indians ! 

Lieutenant (jumping up) ) x .. „ . 

Sergeant (rushing to kirn) ] maians. 

Private (crossing over)'. Indians! (Waving his 
hands for them to remain calm.) No, just one poor 
lonesome, hungry Indian — an old one at that. 

Lieutenant ) -^-^^ ^hey kill him? 

Sergeant ) 

Private: I guess not! the Captain was there. 

Lieutenant: Well, what did they do to make any 
fun? 

Private: Well, they all ran at him with their guns, 
yelling "Redskin ! Scalp him ! Kill him ! He's what we're 
after." Then the frightened old fellow drew from his 
belt a letter and whined out "Me good Injun, me no harm 
paleface. See — paper ; from big white war chief." Some- 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 85. 

one grabbed the letter and read it aloud. It was from 
General Cass and said that the bearer Gerolomo was a 
friendly Indian and that he must be given food and 
shelter. 

Lieutenant: Forged letter, no doubt. 

Sergeant : I bet he was a spy. 

Private: That's just what the others said. They all 
got around him and yelled "Shoot him ! Kill him !" till I 
didn't think the poor beggar's life was worth two bits. 
He thought so, too, I guess, for he was so scared that 
he was almost white. They were all around him so that 
he couldn't run — tell you it looked tough. (Draivs long 
breath.) 

Lieutenant: But go on; you said they didn't kill 
the worthless cur? 

Private: "Worthless cur!" Well, I guess not! the 
Captain heard the men and dashing in among them, he 
laid his hand on the Indian's shoulder, and he just 
roared : "The first man that touches him dies !" O, boys, 
you'd orter been there. (Goes up.) 

Sergeant: Come back and tell the rest; what hap- 
pened then? 

Private (conies dozvn) : Someone sung out, "O, 
you're a coward, afraid of an old Indian. Let us have 
him !" Whew ! You'd orter seen him then. I never 
see the Captain so mad. "Who says I'm a coward?" he 
roared, rolling up his sleeves. 

Lieutenant: Well, did they fight him? (Laughs.) 

Private: Guess not — didn't want to tackle that job. 
So the Captain after a minute or two took the old Indian 
by the arm and led him off to feed. 

Sergeant : That was just like the Captain, but it may 
be the old fellow is a spy after all. 

Lieutenant: Well, I guess that's the only Indian 
that we are likely to see and it's too bad of the Captain 
to spoil the boys' fun. O, here comes the noble red man 



86 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

now. (Gerolomo enters at right, comes down slowly 
and timidly.) 

Lieutenant : Hullo, there, you redskin ! What's your 
name? (Goes to him.) 

Indian : Gerolomo. Me heap good Injun ; heap like 
paleface, bring paleface heap meat. (Shows gun and 
continues to move on slozvly across stage.) 

Lieutenant: Stand still, there, and tell us where 
the rest of your people are ; we'd like pretty well to kill a 
few hundred. 

Indian (stands) : Big paleface tell Gerolomo go 
bring venison, go bring duck. 

Lieutenant : Well, why don't you do it, then ? Bet- 
ter mind him, I tell you, or he'll have you shot. 

Indian (shaking head decidedly) : No, no, big pale- 
face heap good, heap brave ; no harm poor Injun. 

Sergeant (going to Indian) : You're off now, I'll 
bet, to tell your people just where to find us and just how 
many palefaces there are here. 

Indian (repeats former hiisiness) : No, no, Gerolomo 
go tell big paleface got venison, got duck, got squirrel. 

Private (going to him and shaking his Ust at him) : 
None o' your lying now. If you go to the Captain with 
that yarn he'll make short work o' you. The Captain 
hates a liar, he does. 

Indian (whining) : Me no lie, me good Injun. Me 
go tell big paleface me bring venison, me bring duck, me 
bring squirrel. 

Lieutenant (to the others) : Listen to that, will you? 
He'll bring venison, he'll bring duck, he'll bring squirrel. 
My! but we'll be living high. (All laugh.) 

Sergeant : We'd like to see your venison, your duck, 
and your squirrel. 

Indian (briskly) : All right, me bring 'em in, me 
bring heap meat. (Turns about and moves toward right 
exit.) 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 87 

Lieutenant: Better go with him, Dunn, because if 
he is lying to us, which he probably is, he'll not come 
back. 

Private : All right, come on you ''heap good Injun." 
We'll see what you've got out there. {Exeunt.) 

Sergeant (saluting) : Hadn't I better go, too. Lieu- 
tenant? He may get away from Dunn. 

Lieutenant: No, I think Dunn can manage him. 
But hasn't he learned the trick of telling a good lie ? 

Sergeant: I should think so. Venison, duck and 
squirrel, and he's only been in the woods a few hours. 

Lieutenant: Well, of course he may be telling the 
truth, because the woods are full of game, and I daresay 
the old fellow is a good shot. 

(Enter Private Dunn, carrying a squirrel in one 
hand, a duck in the other, followed by Gerolomo drag- 
ging a dead deer. They stop at center. Lieutenant 
Dash and Sergeant Free run to them.) 

Lieutenant: Well, really, you old redskin you have 
told the truth for once in your Hfe. 

Indian (lifting his hands and eyes) : Me shoot for 
big paleface. Great Spirit tell Gerolomo where venison, 
where duck, where squirrel for big paleface. Great Spirit 
always take care of big paleface. (Captain Lincoln 
enters at left and comes down slowly, unseen by Gerol- 
omo. The others salute.) Big paleface take care poor 
old Gerolomo. 

Captain Lincoln (goes to Indian and lays hand on 
his shoulder) : You have obeyed my orders and kept 
your promise, the whitest soldier among us all could have 
done no better. 

Tableau 
Curtain 



88 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

WITH FIFE AND DRUM 

Clara J, Denton 

A PLAY IN TWO ACTS FOR FOUR GIRLS AND THREE BOYS 

CHAEACTEES 

Mrs. Mortimer, mother of the family 

SxVLLY Caroline, the daughter 

Albert, the son 

Mr. Mortimer, father (this character has no lines) 

Auntie Temp, a negro slave 

George Washington Augustus, her son 

Clementina Diana, her daughter 

SCENE 

Neat home interior. Old-fashioned hair-cloth sofa at right of 
stage. Hair-cloth rocking-chair at left. Marble-topped table at 
center. Easel with large picture of Lincoln near center. Cane 
seat rocking-chair at left-front, also another at right-front. Cro- 
cheted tidies on sofa and all rocking-chairs, and any other minor 
accessories that will give to the room an old-fashioned appearance. 

COSTUMES 

Mrs. Mortimer and Sally Caroline: Eor these two characters 
borrow dresses made during the '60 's. If this is impossible, make 
gowns of some cheap yet good-looking material to represent such. 
Let the skirt be very full and worn over hoops ; the waist plain 
and tight-fitting with wide flowing sleeves with white muslin under- 
sleeves. Wear a broad, flat, embroidered collar. Mrs. Mortimer 
wears her hair parted in the middle, two curls on either side of 
her face, held in place by side-combs; the remainder fastened 
in a knot at the back. Sally Caroline's hair hangs in curls. Let 
these costumes be planned and overlooked by a skillful matron who 
is at least sixty years of age. 

Albert : In first act he wears an ordinary suit for young man ; 
in second act butternut-color suit, ragged and soiled. 

Auntie Temp : Bright-colored print gown, wide gingham apron, 
bright bandanna kerchief tied on head. This character should be 
represented by a stout person, if possible. 

George Washington Augustus: Overalls and "jumper" of 
blue denim. 

Clementina Diana: Cotton gown. The two last named must 
wear negro wigs or wigs of black wool. The characters making-up 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 89 

for negroes should cover the faces with some sort of toilet cream 
before applying the burnt cork or ' * black-face ' ' preparation. 

Mr. Mortimer: United States military uniform faded and 
ragged. 

ACT I 

Auntie Temp {before the curtain rises) : Gawge 
Washington Augustus. O, Gawge Washington Au- 
gustus, Gawge Washington Augustus, I say. (Curtain 
rises. Auntie Temp is seen leaving stage at right.) 

George (enters at left) : I was jes' suah I yerd 
mammy calHn' me in heah. Wondah whar she went? 
Mighty ha'd times dese is foh de niggahs, dat's suah. 
What wid ole marsa goin' off wid de Linkum sojas an* 
young marsa stampin' 'round an' sayin' he foh suah 
cehtain am agoin' wid de Fed'rates I mos' done wish I 
hain't nevah been bo'n. I is foh suah. 

(Singing behind scenes, a strain of any darkey melody 
that may be convenient, though the follozving, is especially 
appropriate. George pauses to listen.) 

George (continues after the singing dies out, looking 
tozvard right) : Dere comes dat worfless Clementina 
Diana, ef she is my sistah. 'Peahs lak any niggah dat can 
sing now-a-days ain't got no heart, jes' all gizzahd lak a 
chicken. (Clementina enters at right, still singing.) 
Shet up dere, Clementina Diana, how kin you go a-singin' 
'round right in de midst o' dis yere wah when de folkses 
is a-shootin' each udder down, an' a — an' a 

Clementina : O, pshaw ! Gawge Washington Augus- 
tus, I didn't make de wah, 'sides I hain't seen none o' it, 
so I might's well be gay and happy while I kin. Mammy's 
been a-squawkin' foh ye dis yere long while. 

George : Where's she gone ter ? 

Clementina: O ! / dunno. (This in a slipshod way, 
shrugging her shoulders. Continues singing and exits 
at left.) 



NEGRO SONG 

This is a funny old song that the darkeys used to delight to sing in the days 
when they believed "Father Abraham" was coming to free them. 



1. Say, dar - keys, hab you seen de mas - sa, Wid de 

2. He six foot one way, two foot tud-der,An' he 

3. De ob - er - seer he make us troub-le. An' he 



i 



i 



?^ 



** 



muffs -tas on his face, Go 'long de road some 
weigh tree hun - dred pound; His coat so big he 
dribe us 'round a spell; We lock him up in de 



?? 



:^^ 



M — ^j — H — 5 — ^ 



time dis morn-in'. Like he gwine to leab de 
couldn't pay de tai - lor. An' it won't go half way 
smoke-house eel - lar, Wid de key trown in de 



i 



*^ place? He seen a smoke 'way up de rib- ber, Wharde 
'round. He drill so much dey call him Cap-'an, An' he 





well. 


De whip is 


lost, de han 


- cuff bro-ken, But de 


" 


/ N 


^ 


K. 


V 


1 ■ 1 ^ * h 




h ^ 1 


gf 


^ J 1 1 1 


J 


N 1 1 W 


Vv 


) • !j Ij J 


J * 


1 J J • 


c 




" 


S • 


-V • • 



Lin - kum gun -boats lay; He took his hat, an' 
get so dref - ful tann'd, I spec he try an' 
mas - sa'll hab his pay; He's ole enough, big enough, 



i 



m 



P: 



i 



lef ber - ry sud-den. An' I spec he's run a - way! 

fool dem Yankees For to tink he's con -tra-band. 

ought to known bet-ter Dan to went an' run a - way. 
Chorus: ». , 



i 



* 



lsz-«* 



::t=^± 



* 



ii=S: 



t==f±t 



De mas- sa run, ha! ha! De darkeys stay, ho! ho! 



It 






-oi = "^ I h" ^ o*- 

^ '^ ^ 
mua' be now de kingdom coming. An' de year ob Ju - bi - lo! 
90 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 91 

George : Ef that hain't de most disrisponsible niggah 
gal dat eber breaved de bref o' life ! If I's lak she am 
I'd run off tomowow and jine dem Linkum sojas, but I 
jes' cain't do it. I jes' keep a-wonderin' what dey all will 
do at home widout me. Well, I reckon I'll go hunt up 
mammy. (Exits at right.) 

Sally (enters at left carrying open letter) : Poor 
Cousin Bessie Helen, she has left her beautiful Alabama 
home with all its grand furniture and has run away with 
her brothers and sisters to grandpa's home here in Ten- 
nessee. What a foolish thing for her to do. (Reads from 
letter) : "When they told me the Yankee soldiers were 
coming I couldn't think of anything but to get away 
safely with the children before the soldiers came in and 
butchered us all." How foolish she was ! I am sure the 
officers would have seen that she came to no harm. (Goes 
to Lincoln s portrait and places her hand upon it.) It is 
plain that she has never looked upon your noble face. If 
she had she would have felt, as I do, that at least some 
small measure of your beautiful spirit must be scattered 
abroad through your army to keep the men from harm- 
ing helpless widows and children. But, poor Bessie! she 
has only heard dreadful stories about you, and so, with 
her mother in her grave, and her father fighting against 
the Yankees she could see no safety except in flight. I 
must write to her and tell her something of our beloved 
Lincoln and the army which he controls'. (Albert en- 
ters at left.) O, Albert, I am so glad you have come in 
just now. I have here a letter from Cousin Bessie; she 
is at grandfather's here in Tennessee. 

Albert: In Tennessee? 

Sally : Yes, read her letter ; she was so afraid of the 
Yankee soldiers. 

Albert: And well she might be, the hounds! 

Sally: Hush! (placing right-hand forefinger to 
lips) : Albert, do you forget that our father is one of 
them ? 



92 LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 

Albert (walking up and down excitedly) : Indeed, I 
don't forget! I think of it every hour, and it is that 
which makes me so furious. How can he accept those 
low-down Northerners as his associates? 

Sally: Brother, be still! Look at that face! (Points 
to Lincoln's portrait.) He is a Northerner, altho' he 
was born in Kentucky, and for his sake I love them all. 

Albert: Then you must hate all your friends and 
relatives that are fighting against him. 

Sally: No, no, dear brother, I do not. Don't you 
remember how the grand Lincoln closed his inaugural 
address? **We are not enemies, but friends. We must 
not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it 
must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords 
of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot 
grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, " 

Albert (interrupting) : There, stop, I will not listen 
to any more of his stuff. 

Sally (continuing rapidly) : "All over this broad 
land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again 
touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of 
our nature." Are those not wonderful words ? 

Albert: Stuff and sentimentalism, that's what they 
are! 

Sally : O, Albert, how can you talk so ? Think of it ! 
Today is his birthday; today you should delight to 
honor him. 

Albert : His birthday ! Who cares ? 

Sally: Everyone should give thanks for this day. 

Albert (laughing) : What nonsense you talk, Sally 
Caroline. 

Sally : Well, you will see. The time will come when 
the Country will celebrate his birthday just as they now 
do Washington's. 

Albert: O, come now, that's too much. It's bad 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 93 

enough to know that we are to have another four years 
of his tyranny, without hearing you sing his praises. 

Sally : But, you'll have to hear it ; the war will soon 
be over, and he will be proclaimed as the Savior of his 
Country. 

Albert: O, stop! The war is not anywhere near 
over: it is but begun. I'll not listen to this talk any 
longer. I resent it. I'll not hear any more of Abraham 
Lincoln. (Goes up stage in great excitement.) 

Sally {excitedly) : Why, Albert! How can you talk 
so? Why you sound just like a rebel. 

Albert {turns and coming to center stands) : And 
that is just what I am, a rebel! A rebel against the 
tyranny of Abraham Lincoln. 

(Sally drops into rocking-chair at left-front; buries 
her face in her handkerchief and sobs violently.) 

Albert {comes down): There, there, little sister! 
don't take on so; surely you have known my sentiments 
before this. 

Sally {rising) : O, but you never talked quite so 
wickedly before. How could you say things like that 
with his noble, benign face looking straight at you ? 

Albert {scornfully) : Noble, benign face, indeed ! 
I'll tear it into ribbons. I have put up with this thing 
long enough. {He goes toward picture. Sally runs 
quickly, intercepts him, and stands in front of picture, 
placing her arms protectingly across it.) 

Albert: Stand aside! 

Sally : Never ! 

Albert {loudly) : Stand aside, I say! 

Sally : Never ! 

Mrs. Mortimer {enters at right) : Children, what in 
the world are you doing ? Albert, was that you speaking 
like that to your sister? I could hardly believe my ears. 
(Albert goes to sofa and buries his face in his hands,) 



94 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

What in the world are you doing, Sally Caroline ? Come 
and sit down. 

Sally: No, mother, not until Albert promises me 
that he will not molest this picture. 

Mrs. Mortimer: Molest that picture! Why should 
he? Your father paid ten good dollars of United States 
money for that picture and I reckon Albert doesn't want 
to waste money like that. Come here, Albert. (She sits 
in rocking-chair at right-front.) Do come away from 
that picture, Sally Caroline; how ridiculous you look 
spread out there. Come away, I say! 

Sally: No, mother; not until Albert promises me 
that he will not harm this picture. 

Mrs. Mortimer: Of course he will not harm it. I 
can answer for that. Harm a picture which his father 
loves so well? I cannot imagine my son doing a deed 
like that. Albert, come to me. 

Albert (rising) : Mother, I see that I have no place 
here. I will get across the line some way this very day, 
and join the Confederate Army. (Sally runs to him.) 

Mrs. Mortimer (rises) : What! My son fight against 
the old flag? 

Sally: Albert, Albert; O, you cannot mean it! 

Albert : Mother, you are a Southern woman ; you 
ought to bid me godspeed. 

Mrs. Mortimer: Yes, I am a Southern woman, but 
I am the descendant of men who helped to bind these 
States together, and no child of mine shall, with my con- 
sent, help to sever them. You shall not go, Albert. 

Albert: Mother, I must! I shall — go. (Exit at 
right, running. Sally and Mrs. Mortimer throw their 
arms about each other and sink upon the sofa.) 

Curtain 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 95 

Here may be introduced a short drill of the Blue and 
the Gray if desirable. It would certainly have a pleasing 
effect and would tend to add variety and spice to the en- 
tertainment. 

ACT II 

Fife and drum heard playing Yankee doodle, behind 
scenes. Auntie Temp discovered dusting the furniture. 

Auntie Temp: Never seen nuthin' lak dem chilluns. 
Dat dere Clementina Diana she's jes' nuthin' but a no- 
'count shif'less niggah eber sence dem Linkum sojas 
come 'round heah. She found dat ole fife somewha's 
'round an' she jes' blow on it all day long (puffing in her 
excitement) ; cain't get nuthin' else out'n her, an' Gawge 
Washington Augustus! (laughing) golly, he's jes' 's bad, 
he des poun' de old drum. O, deah, mighty queah times 
when niggahs jes' tinks dey's got nuthin' to do but stan' 
'round and make jig music. 

Mrs. Mortimer (enters at right) : Aunt Temp, those 
children of yours can make pretty good music. I think 
we'll have to send them to that new Fisk University, just 
founded. (Sits in rocking-chair at right-front.) 

Auntie Temp : Lan' sakes alive. Miss' Em'llne ! what 
de wo'ld you-all do dat fob? Suah dem chilluns ain't 
done nuthin' fob to shet dem up in de what ye call it, 
tentiarity. 

Mrs. Mortimer: O, Aunt Temp, I didn't say the 
Penitentiary. I said the University; that's where they 
educate the darkies, you know, and when they are natural 
musicians like your children, they teach them all the 
branches of music. 

Auntie Temp : What ! eddicate de niggahs ! I hain't 
nevah seen no good come o' dat. I'll eddicate that Gawge 
Washington Augustus to saw wood, and Clementina 
Diana has jes' nachually got to lea'n to make a hoe- 
cake 's good 's her mammy kin. I cain't see no use o' 
nuthin' else. Lan' sakes, I reckon what's good enough 



96 LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 

for dere ole niggah mammy 's good enough for dem two 
black niggahs. (Placing arms akimbo and holding head 
up proudly.) 

Mrs. Mortimer : But everything's changed now, you 
know, Aunt Temp : there aren't any slaves any more, and 
so we must teach you colored people to take care of your- 
selves. 

Auntie Temp: Yes, I know, I yerd lots o' dat kin' 
o' talk jes' dese yere days, but I reckon I jes' stays right 
heah wif you-alls twell I dies. 

Clementina (running in from right) : O, mammy, 
did you-all heah de music ? 

Auntie Temp : Go 'long ye good-foh-nuthin' shif'less 
niggah ; doan ye see de mist'ess ? 

Clementina (turns and ducks her head and shoulders: 
a rude imitation of a curtsy) : O, 'scuse me Miss' 
Em'line. I was jes' plum' crazy ovah dat fife. Golly, 
but dat's fine ! 

Mrs. Mortimer: You can play as well as a man, 
Clementina: come here. (Mrs. Mortimer takes 
Clementina's Jiand and leads her to Lincoln's picture.) 
Do you know who this is ? 

Clementina (looking very serious): Suah I duz. 
Miss' Em'line; dis heah (lays her hand on picture) is de 
good Massa Linkum what said to all de people eve'y- 
wha's, up in the Norf 'n' down in de Souf, dat dere 
shouldn't nevah no moah be any slaves anyv/ha's. (Joy- 
fully and enthusiastically) : Gollv, but I's glad he done 
libed. 

Mrs. Mortimer (bowing head sorrotvfidly and speak- 
ing sloivly and softly) : Yes, indeed, we are all glad of 
that : and now you may go, Clementine. 

Clementina (comes down zvhile Mrs. Mortimer re- 
mains looking at picture. Clementina, when near right 
exit, turns and runs back to Mrs. Mortimer) : O, I say, 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 97 

Miss' Em'line, de good Marsa Linkum done gone dead 
now, an' won't dey take us all back fob slaves ag'in ? 

Mrs. Mortimer (coming dozwi) : No, you poor cbild, 
don't be afraid, slavery is done with forever and forever. 
No one can ever undo the work of Abraham Lincoln. 

Clementina : Golly ! I's glad o' dat. Bress de Lawd 
fob Abraham Linkum. (Dances a few steps and then 
exits at right, running.) 

Auntie Temp : She hain't got no sense Miss' Em'line, 
so you-all mus' jes' nachually fohgive her fob jes' foh- 
gettin' 'bout what all dis yere wah cost you-all. (Bow- 
ing head and speaking softly and sadly.) But I knows, 
I knows, Miss' Em'Hne, an' I's powe'ful sorry foh 
you-all. (Exit at right, head still hozved.) 

Mrs. Mortimer (sits in rocking-chair at right-front) : 
Yes, the cost has been great (speaking slowly and weigh- 
ing each word carefully), O, how great! and our noble 
leader who said he now longed only to bind up the Na- 
tion's wounds has been taken from us. How will it be 
now, I wonder? They tell me the war is over. Lee has 
surrendered — but where, O where (rises and zvalks up 
and dozvn) are my poor husband and our boy? It has 
been long since I have had a letter from either. Perhaps 
they have both died fighting for the cause in which each 
believed. Poor, misguided Albert! how could he ever 
have gone against the flag of his forefathers? (Exit at 
left.) 

George (enters at right) : Dat air Clementina Diana's 
jes' too much for my institution. She dinks 'case Miss' 
Em'line told her she done play de fife's good as a man 
dat she's de bigges' pickanninny on dis yere plantation. 
But I'll show her she cain't come none o' her friskom- 
fa'i'cation ovah Gawge Washington Augustus. Dis yere 
niggah ain't no slave no moah, an' he's gwine show dat 
liT niggah gal what's what. (Fife behind scenes.) Dah 
she's at it ag'in. (Enter Clementina at right, running 
and waving iife in air and shouting. Hurrah!) What's 



98 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

de matta, you crazy niggah gal? Ye des done gone out 
o' yore senses {runs to her and shakes her). 

Clementina: Git yore dwum, Gawge Washington 
'Gustus, and come on wif me : de marsa's a-comin' ! 

George : O, go 'long wif yore crazy talk, de massa's 
done gone de'd befoh dis yere. Ye s'pose he lib an' not 
sen' a perscripshun to de mist'ess befoh dis yere? No, 
dem mis'able reb bullets get him foh dis yere. I knows. 
{Pointing Unger at her) : Go 'long wid ye now! {Goes 
up stage.) 

Clementina : Now, doan ye be so sma't, Gawge 
Washington 'Gustus; he's comin' foh suah — I seed 'im. 

George {comes down quickly) : Seed 'im? Ya mis'able 
good-foh-nuthin' lyin' niggah gal, how could ye seed 'im ? 

Clementina {slowly and solemnly) : I seed a tramp 
comin' 'way obah de fields. I kin'a sca'd an' 'spishus. 
I tak Miss' Em'line's spy-glass and I looked and I seed 
'twas marsa. {Dances a few steps, singing, "Marsa's 
come." They both run out at right. Fife and drum is 
heard, playing Yankee doodle behind scenes.) 

Mrs. Mortimer {zvith Sally, run in at left) : I was 
sure I heard Clem's voice singing, "Marsa come," but 
there's no one here. O, why did she do it? {Drops into 
rocking-chair at left-front. Sally runs to her.) It was 
wicked of her to do a thing like that. And that dreadful 
tune! Sally Caroline, I think you'll have to go out and 
make them keep still. {Music grows fainter.) 

Sally: Never mind, mother dear, they are going 
away now. They'll soon be out of hearing. I'll see what 
they are about. {Exits at right.) 

Mrs. Mortimer: I never, never, want to hear that 
tune again. I shall always associate it with this bitter 
disappointment. O, I was so sure my poor husband 
had come. I wonder what made the child think of sing- 
ing that ? But, then, she is only a child ; she cannot un- 
derstand {buries her face in handkerchief and sobs). 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 99 

Auntie Temp (enters at left and goes to side of 
Mrs. Mortimer): O, now, Miss' Em'line! Doan, 
honey, doan do dat, pore soul. Yore ole mammy knows 
jes' how't feels — come, now, obah heah on de sofi, an' 
hab a good rest. (Puts arms about her and leads her 
to sofa, putting pillow under her head, etc., while talking 
to her.) Dere, dere, honey, doan ye feel bad any moah, 
We-all tak de bes' caah of ye an' make ye des's happy as 
we kin. Des tink, Miss' Em'line, dere's Miss Sally 
Car'line, de lubliest angel anybuddy eber seed; she done 
tak des de bes' caah of ye, so des chirk up, chirk up, 
Miss' Em'line. Come, now, honey, tu'n obah an' go 
a-sleep, yore ole mammy covah ye up. 

Mrs. Mortimer: And, Auntie Temp, don't ever let 
those children play Yankee Doodle around the house 
again. 

Auntie Temp: Dat I won't, honey, I'll go this 
minnit an' see 'bout it. (Comes dozvn stage. Sally en- 
ters at right. They meet at right-front.) 

Sally (in excited undertone) : Auntie Temp, what 
do you think? (Catches her by the arm and dances and 
jumps around in glee.) Father is coming across the 
field from the west ! Your children have gone to meet 
him. And as I was looking around, I saw another figure 
coming slowly from the south. I took the glass, which 
was lying on the porch, and it is Albert ! 

Auntie Temp (excitedly) : Laws honey, ye doan 
mean it? 

Sally: Hush! I am afraid the excitement will be 
too much for mother. O, what shall we do? They may 
come rushing in any minute. (Fife and drum heard, 
Mrs. Mortimer groans.) 

Auntie Temp: See to yore pore ma, Miss Sally 
Car'line, I got ter make dem niggahs shet up. (Exit at 
right Music ceases in a moment.) 

Mrs. Mortimer (sitting up) : O, good Auntie Temp! 



100 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

What a comfort she is to me ; she promised to make those 
children stop that tune and she has done it. (Sighs.) 

Sally {kneeling beside her) : But, mother dear, 
wouldn't you like to hear the fife and drum playing 
Yankee Doodle if it was played for joy? 

Mrs. Mortimer {jumping tip): For joy? What can 
you mean, Sally Caroline? 

Sally {rising and throwing arms about Mrs. Morti- 
mer) : Don't get excited. It means, dearest mother, 
that you are to be happy again. 

Mrs. Mortimer: O, Sally Caroline, don't deceive 
me! Do you mean 

Sally {interrupting) : Yes, yes, it means that they 
{leads her slozvly tozvard right exit) are both coming 
across the fields : one from the west and one from the 
south, and, even now, they may be in the door-yard. 
(Mrs. Mortimer hurries.) There, there, dear, do not 
overtax your strength. Remember, too, they are much 
changed, and you mustn't give 'way when you meet 
them. {Exeunt at right.) 

Clementina {enters at right, waving Hfe, follozved 
by George, carrying drum): Golly, wa'n't that fine? 
Seems lak I cu'd jes' dance mah feet off. 

George: Well, ye jes' keep still, ye good-foh-nuthin' 
niggah gal. Nebah seed sich a crazy gal nowahs, Dere, 
dey's comin' now, ye better go hide. 

(Clementina runs up and stands behind Lincoln's 
portrait so that only her face is visible. Mrs. Mortimer, 
Mr. Mortimer and Albert enter at right. Mrs. Morti- 
mer is betzveen the two and their arms are linked. Sally 
follozvs closely behind, and Auntie Temp, zvho is behind 
the others, goes to George and stands beside him.) 

Mrs. Mortimer: It seems too good to be true that 
I have both my dear ones at home again. 

Albert {breaks azvay from his mother and runs to 
Lincoln's portrait, laying his hand upon it) : And, 



DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES 101 

mother, I am cured of my folly. I have seen him, and 
I am glad the old flag was victorious. 

All (excitedly) : Have seen him? 

Sally: O, tell us about him! 

Albert (coming down) : *It was at Richmond. I 
had been taken prisoner with two other young fellows. 
We were shut up in an old store. The President came 
there with some of his friends and just a few of his 
sailors. He passed the store and saw us staring from 
the window. O, the look that came over his face I can 
never describe, as he called out: "Break in that door 
and let those boys go home to their mothers." In a 
second we were free. 

Auntie Temp: De Lawd bress him! 

Albert: And, mother, when I stood face to face 
with him I saw that not half had been told me of his 
goodness and his greatness. And when I heard of his 
death a day or two ago, as I was begging my way across 
the country, to get home, I wept like a child. I knew 
then, as others will know later, that this was the end 
of life for the greatest American this country ever had. 

Auntie Temp: De Lawd save us! I's mighty scar'd 
o' what 'comes of us pore niggahs now. 

Sally (going to Auntie Temp and putting hand on 
her shoulder) : You have nothing to fear from this time 
forth, Auntie Temp. Although Abraham Lincoln is 
dead, his spirit will live forever in the land. 

Albert (comes to front-center) : Yes, and he has 
taught the American Nation, in his own immortal words, 
''that government of the people, by the people, for the 
people, shall not perish from the earth." 

Curtain 



* This incident is purely fictitious and Is given only as what misht 
have happened, being quite in keeping with Lincoln's character. 



102 LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 

SUGGESTIVE PROGRAM 

RECOMMENDED BY THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF 
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION 

1. Salute to the Flag school 

At a signal from the principal the pupils in ordered 
ranks, hands to the side, face the flag. At another 
signal every pupil gives the flag the military salute 
as follow^s: The right hand lifted, palm downward, 
the forefinger touching the forehead above the eye. 
Standing thus all repeat slowly: "I pledge alle- 
giance to my flag and the republic for which it 
stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and jus- 
tice for all. ' ' At the words ' * to my flag, ' ' the right 
hand is extended gracefully, palm upward towards 
the flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of 
the affirmation, whereupon all hands immediately 
drop to the side. Where a silent salute is given, the 
flag is borne between the standing lines or in front 
of a single line, and the hands remain at salute until 
the flag-bearer reaches the center of the room, when, 
at a given signal, every hand is dropped. 

2. Song — red, white and blue school 

3. Lincoln Day : Its observance a privilege for 
ourselves and a duty to the young people of 

the country reading 

4. Declamation — Selected pupil 

5. Song — star-spangled banner. . .pupil or school 

6. Quotations from the sayings of Abraham 
Lincoln and his eulogists by pupils 

rising in their places and repeating. 

7. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address pupil 

8. Essay on Lincoln pupil 

9. Song school 

10. Tableaux or Grouping representing some 
historical event in the life of Lincoln group 

11. Lincoln as a Model for the Youth of the 
Nation reading 

12. Song — battle hymn of the republic. . . .school 

13. Brief Addresses by visiting veterans 

and other invited guests. 

14. Song — America school and visitors 



DRILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 



OLD GLORY 

Marie Irish 

a primary flag drill for five little girls and five 
little boys 

Costumes : Each child carries a flag of fairly good size and wears 
a soldier cap. The caps are made of red, white and blue tissue 
paper and should be provided with an elastic cord that passes 
under the chin to hold them in place. Children also wear on each 
shoulder an epaulet, made of strips of cambric, an inch wide, one 
white, one red and one blue, sewed up in a cluster. 

Music: A patriotic march. 

CHILDREN enter in two files, the boys coming on 
at the right corner of front of stage and the girls 
at the left corner of front. The boys march up 
the right side, across back and down the left side of 
stage, while the girls at the same time pass up the left 
side, across back and down the right side of stage. On 
reaching the corners of front the two lines pass diag- 
onally to center of back, first boy and first girl form 
a couple, each two on reaching center of back do the 
same, and the couples march down the center of stage 
to the front. During the opening march the flag is held 
in right hand, resting against right side, but on forming 
couples each couple raises flags and holds them high, 
staffs crossed. At the front the boys turn to right, girls 
to left, pass to corners of front, up sides and on reach- 
ing the back they form two lines across back of stage, 
girls on front line with boys back of them. Mark time, 
then march — five abreast — down to near-front of stage, 
where the lines halt, and as they do so they stand far 

103 



104 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

enough apart to allow a person to pass between them. 
During this march the flags have been held again at 
right side, but now each one holds flag high. The boy 
nearest left of stage now leads the boys along the line 
of girls, going in front of the first one, back of the 
second, in front of the third, back of the fourth, etc. 
Boys return to places and halt, then girl nearest the right 
of stage leads the line of girls along the line of boys, 
going behind the first boy, in front of second, back of 
third, etc. The girls return to places and halt, then all 
hold flags with staff standing upright and resting on 
left shoulder. All speak: 

In times of peace dear Old Glory doth wave 
O'er homes and schools in this land of the brave ; 
(Hold Hags out in front of bodies, staffs perpen- 
dicular. ) 

In times of trouble it stands for the Right, 
And says that Justice is greater than might; 
(Raise flags and wave them above heads.) 
In times of battle, its colors so bright 
Lead on to Victory, though fierce be the fight. 
With flags held at right sides the girls now pass up 
the right side of stage while boys pass up the left side. 
At center of back form couples, raise flags and cross 
staffs, march in couples down center of stage to front. 
At front the first couple halts, second couple goes to 
right of first and halts in line, third couple to left of 
first, fourth couple to right of second, fifth to left of 
third. If stage is large enough let them stand in straight 
line across front, otherwise they can stand in curved line. 
The children now speak, one at a time. Each one holds 
the flag in position at right side until he or she speaks. 

First Child (holding flag extended, arm's length at 
right side) : 

One little flag says children must be true ; 
Second Child (holding staff of flag horizontal along 
left shoulder, flag hanging down lengthwise at left side; 
first child now holds flag in same way) : 



DEILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 105 

Two flags say that we must be honest, too. 

Third Child (holding staff of flag diagonally across 
chest, flag on left shoulder; first and second children 
hold flags the same) : 

Three flags say boys and girls must upright live ; 

Fourth Child (staff of flag perpendicular and rest- 
ing on left shoulder; first three hold flags the same) : 
Four flags say, ''Be unselfish when you give". 

Fifth Child (holding flag in left hand, extended at 
left side ; first four hold flags the same) : 

Five flags teach us, "Let Justice be your song" ; 

Sixth Child (holding flag same as No. 2, but on 
right shoulder; first five children holding flags the 
same) : 

Six flags say we must grow up brave and strong. 

Seventh Child (holding flag as No. 3, but on right 
shoulder; first six the same) : 

Seven flags say, ''Be loyal to the Right" ; 

Eighth Child (holding flag as No. 4, but on right 
shoulder, while first seven hold flags the same) : 

Eight flags say, "Love your home with all your 
might". 

Ninth Child (holding flag out in front of body, staff 
perpendicular; first eight hold flags the same) : 
Nine flags say, "Do not idle time away" ; 

Tenth Child (raising flag and holding it a little to 
the right side of body; first nine hold flags the same) : 
Ten flags say we must study hard each day, 
All (in concert, waving flags above heads) : 
So we may grow up wise, 

An honor to our land; 
Fit subjects of Old Glory , 
Our starry banner grand. 



106 



LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 



The center couple now marches down to center of 
front, couple to its right follows, couple to left of first 
comes next, the couple to right of second, and fifth 
couple last. All march, in couples, to corner of right 
of stage, up right side, across to center of back, down 
center of stage to front, across to left corner of front 
and off stage. 



THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER 

Marie Irish 

a flag salute, march and drill for eleven inter- 
mediate grade children 

One boy carries a flag considerably larger than the other ten 
carry. This boy we will call the Color-bearer. This march may 
be given by eleven boys or by six boys and five girls. 

Music: A patriotic march. 

THE children enter in single file at left corner of 
the line, then, if girls take part, a girl next, then a 
back of stage. Color-bearer with large flag leading 
boy, etc. File marches across back of stage, back again to 
left side, diagonally to right corner of front, back to left 
corner of back, down left side, across front of stage, 
back to left corner and up left side, thus: 




DRILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 107 

Then from left corner of back pass to center of back, 
down center of stage to front, where Color-bearer turns 
to right, first girl to left, next boy to right, next girl to 
left, etc. Pass to corners of front, up sides of stage, 
across to center of back, where the Color-bearer remains 
standing, while the next boy and first girl form a couple, 
each two do the same, couples march down stage till first 
couple is near front. Halt, couples face each other, 
standing about three feet apart. The Color-bearer now 
passes down between the two lines and halts at front of 
stage, facing audience. The couple nearest back of stage 
now marches down between lines, goes to right and halts, 
next couple comes down and goes to left, etc., thus : 




The file stands in curved line back of Color-bearer. 
Music changes to star-spangled banner. The children 
in the line stand with flags held at right side, as during 
the march, till the music gets to ''Oh ! say, does the star- 
spangled banner still wave," when they raise flags and 
wave them slowly, till close of music. The piece is played 
through once and then music ceases, the Color-bearer 
raises his flag, holding it quite high. The others take 
flags in left hands and hold at left sides. When the 
large flag is raised they all say: 

I pledge my head, (touch head with right hand) my 
heart, (lay hand over heart) and my hand, (raise 
right hand) 

To loyally serve my native land; (drop hand at side) 

I pledge my power, my honor, and my might (step for- 

zvard with right foot) 
To keep my country's name forever bright. (Step back 

in line.) 



108 



LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 



I pledge the zeal and strength of this right hand (raise 

right hand) 
To keep Old Glory floating o'er our land. (Point to flag.) 

The flags are now held in right hands, out in front of 
bodies : 

A flag for the sailor, skimming the sea, 
A flag for the soldier, guarding the lea, 
A flag for the patriot, proud to be free, 
A flag for YOU, (flags extended to audi- 
ence) and a flag for me! (At this 
flags are laid lovingly across chests 
and held with both hands.) 

Flags are now waved above heads and the line ex- 
claims : 

''America forever! (flags held out at right) one na- 
tion (flags out at left) one country, (step forward and 
hold flags high, pointing toward audience) one flag!" 

Step back in line and hold flags at right sides while the 
chorus of COLUMBIA, THE GEM OF THE OCEAN, is played 
softly. At the conclusion of that the music changes to a 
march. The Color-bearer leads and the others fall in line 
back of him in the same order as on entering the stage at 
beginning, passing in single file to right corner of front, 
up right side, across back, half way down left side, then 
across stage. The last four children halt in line, the 
others pass up right side, across to center of back and 
down center of stage. The Color-bearer halts in center, 
the others take places and stand thus: 



^ 7- 

J 5 


\ 
\ 


v4. 


,0 ,.;) 

/ 
/ 

• 



DEILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 



109 



Nos. 8 and 9 face back of stage; 5, 6 and 7 face left; 
10 and II face front; 2, 3 and 4 face right; then lines 
march once around, No. i (Color-bearer) standing as 
the pivot on which others turn. Keep lines perfectly 
straight while marching, those on outside going faster 
to preserve perfect movement. After rotating once, halt. 
Color-bearer raises flag high, others raise flags and repeat : 

I pledge allegiance to my flag — the best in any land, 
And to the Republic for which this flag doth stand ; 
One nation, indivisible, the pride of great and small. 
One flag, emblem of Liberty and Justice for us all. 

Color-bearer then marches to front of line, in front 
of No. 2, leads to right of stage, all following in order, 
up to back, across to center of back, down to center, 
where lines form thus: 




Lines march around, describing circle, those on outside a 
large one and others smaller, then Color-bearer takes 
position at back of stage, the others form two lines of 
five each, across stage. Color-bearer gives following 
orders, in sharp, quick tones : 

Order, flag! Rest flag on floor at right side, holding 
with right hand. 

Carry, flag! Raise flag and hold in right hand, staff 
nearly vertical, top resting against right shoulder, arm 
straight at side. 

Present, flag! Move flag to center of body, top in 
front of face, grasp staff with left hand, also. 



110 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Left shoulder, flag! Flag placed on left shoulder. 

Right shoulder, flag! Flag placed on right shoulder. 

Carry, flag! As before. 

Port, flag! Grasp staff a little below center, hold 
diagonally across chest, upper end resting on left 
shoulder. 

Carry, flag! As before. 

Parade, rest ! Right foot six inches to rear, left knee 
slightly bent, rest flag staff on floor in front of center 
of body and grasp it at top with both hands. 

Carry, flag! As before. 

Surrender, flag ! Lay flag on floor in front of body. 

Recover, flag ! Bend forward, pick up flag, hold it in 
front of body, staff horizontal. 

Carry, flag! As before. 

Fix, flag ! Kneel on right knee and stand staff of flag 
upon left knee, staff vertical. 

Triumph, flag ! Stand, wave flag high above head. 

Color-bearer now marches down center of stage to 
front, members fall in line back of him in same order 
as on entering at beginning. At right corner of front 
second boy steps up by first girl, third boy by second girl, 
etc. Form couples. Color-bearer marching alone at head. 
Pass up right side, across to center of back, down center 
of stage, across to left corner front, up left side and off 
stage. 



CIVIL WAR DAUGHTERS 

Marie Irish 

MARCH, SONG AND DRILL FOR TWELVE GIRLS OF THE IN- 
TERMEDIATE OR GRAMMAR GRADES 

Costumes: Four girls wear red dresses, four wear white and 
four blue. Each girl wears two streamers, about nine inches wide 



DRILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 



111 



and a yard to a yard and a quarter long, depending on the size 
of the girl, pinned on left of chest, thus: 




The girls in white wear one red and one blue streamer, those in 
red wear a blue and a white streamer, while those in blue wear a 
red and a white one. A bow in the hair, of the same colors as 
the streamers, is also pretty. 

March and Song 
Music: A march. 

GIRLS enter at back of stage, in single file, reds 
first, then those in white and lastly the blues, one 
streamer held in each hand, arms hanging at full 
length at sides. March once around stage in a circle, 
then on reaching center of back come down center of 
stage to front, where first girl goes to right, second to 
left, etc., pass to corners of front, up sides, across to 
center of back, form couples and march down center of 
stage in couples. 

At front first couple turns to right, second to left, third 



112 LINCOLN BAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

to right, etc., go to corners of front, up sides, across to 
back, form fours and march down center to front. As 
they reach the front in Hnes of four each, the three 
girls nearest the right of stage — a red, a white and a blue 
— pass to the right. As the girl in blue comes to front 
before turning, the next three — a red, a white and a blue 
— follow her. At the same time the three nearest the left 
of stage pass to left corner and the next three follow 
them. This makes two files of Red, White and Blue, 
one from either side, which pass to corners of front, up 
sides, then those passing up left side on reaching corner 
of back march in a diagonal line to right corner of front, 
while the others pass from right corner of back to left 
corner of front. As the lines cross at center of stage 
first girl from right goes in front of first girl from the 
left, then second girl from right in front of second girl 
from left, and so on. Each line crosses front of stage to 
opposite corner, those from the right corner keeping to 
the right of the other line as the files pass. March up 
sides of stage, then across to center of back, where the 
first three on the line that marched up right side form 
the first row, the first three on the line from the left 
side form the second row, second three from the right 
form the third row and the others the fourth row, and 
they march down center of stage three abreast, in the fol- 
lowing order : B,W, R, leading ; R,W, B ; B,W, R ; R,W, 
B. On reaching front of stage the three of first row pass 
toward left corner, second row passes toward right cor- 
ner, next three follow the first row toward left and last 
row follows second row to right. They stand in curved 
line at front, thus: 

oRV/BBWr 

R R 

Music now charges to Columbia, the gem of the 
OCEAN and the girls sing the following verses. On 
opening line of each stanza girls bow low, and during 



DRILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 113 

chorus they all join hands, extending them to the front 
and swinging streamers from side to side. 

Oh, we are the Civil War Daughters, 

With hearts that are loving and true ; 
From Maine to Pacific's blue waters. 

We honor the soldiers in blue. 
We sing of their danger and suff'ring. 

We sing of their courage and might. 
When to save their flag from destruction. 

These boys stood so firm for the right. 

Chorus: Three cheers for the soldier in blue. 
Three cheers for his loyalty true; 
Let us honor his name with ovation. 
And give to the soldier his due. 

Oh, we are the Civil War Daughters, 

We sing of the March to the Sea ; 
And we sing of Vicksburg's close quarters. 

Of Shiloh where blood flowed so free. 
Though years have gone by since that conflict, 

And the soldiers are passing away, 
We hold them in loving remembrance : 

True Blue — once partly loyal Gray. 

Chorus: Three cheers for the soldier, etc. 

March music is resumed, those nearest left of stage face 
left, the other six face the right of stage, fines march to 
right and left corners of front, up sides of stage, from 
corners of back in diagonal lines to center of front, where 
lines cross, first girl from the right going ahead of first 
girl from the left, second from the right goes ahead of 
second from left, etc. Pass to corners of front, up sides, 
stop in lines six abreast along sides of stage, those on 
left facing right of stage and vice versa. Mark time, 
then march six abreast to center, halt, couples facing 
each other. 



114 



LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 



Raise hands holding streamers high, fingers of each 
couple touching. Stand thus for several measures of 
music, then those of the right-hand line march to front, 
the other line standing until the last one of the right line 
reaches front of stage, when the first one of the left-hand 
line leads that line to front and they follow the first six, 
making a single file which passes to right corner of stage, 
up to center of right, whence the line marches thus : 




Where they cross at center of stage No. i goes in front 
of No. 7, No. 2 in front of No. 8, etc. On returning to 
center of right side the file passes up to right corner of 
back, then across back of stage, forming in two lines of 
six each at center-back, march six abreast down to near- 
front and halt in lines for the drill. 



Drill and Song 



Grasp streamers where hands touch them when arms 
hang full length, raise hands holding streamers and place 
on center of breast. 

A. Right hand out at side, arm's length, and back, 
four times. 

B. Left hand out at side, and back, four times. 

C. Both hands at sides, and back, four times. 

D. Right hand upward and outward, arm's length, and 
back, four times. 

E. Left hand, same movement, and back, four times. 

F. Both hands up, forming V, and back, four times. 

G. Right hand down at side, arm's length, and back, 
four times. 



DRILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX US 

H. Left hand down at side, and back, four times. 

I. Both hands down at sides, and back, four times. 

J. Right hand straight out in front of body, and back, 
four times. 

K. Left hand in front of body, and back, four times. 

L. Both hands in front of body, and back, four times. 

M. Both hands on hips, down at sides and back to 
hips, four times. 

N. Raise right hand above right shoulder and hold 
left hand down and out from side till streamers are 
stretched tight, then lower the right hand and raise the 
left, reversing position of streamers, four times. 

O. With hands at center of breast raise right hand 
straight up from shoulder and left down, arm's length 
at side, and back, four times, then left hand up above 
shoulder and right hand down, and back, four times. 

P. Hands meet above head, arms curved, ends of 
streamers hanging back of head, and back, four times. 

Q. All kneel on left knee, raise both hands up, arm's 
length, girls on first line touching hands together, back 
line the same, hold position for several measures, then 
rise and sing, to tune of Yankee doodle : 

We are the Civil War Daughters, 

We're brave as all creation; 
And though we've never been to war, 

We stand up for our nation. 

While singing the chorus those of each line join hands, 
holding them just a little higher than shoulders, then step 
out with right foot and bring it back to place, once for 
each measure of music. 

Chorus: Honor to the soldier's name! 
Sing the wond'rous story 
Of the splendid fight he made 
When led on by Old Glory. 



116 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Our grandsires fought in that great war, 

Fathers, and uncles, too, sir, 
And that's the very reason why 

We love Red, White and Blue, sir. 

Chorus: Honor to the soldier's name, etc. 

At close of song the march music is resumed, those on 
front line pass to right corner, others follow, all pass 
up right side of stage, in single file. From right corner 
of back the leader takes file around stage in a large circle, 
then a smaller circle, etc., until smallest circle possible 
for girls to march around is reached, thus : 






4^ 
/ 
I 



,0 }1 ; 

\ / 

^ ^ ^ -^ 

When all are in a circle at center of stage, they raise hands 
on inside of circle and point upward towards center, 
hands touching, holding streamers. March once around 
this way, then all turn and march in opposite direction, 
once around in circle, raising the outside hands, and hold- 
ing streamers high. Then all turn and march in opposite 
direction once around circle, this time raising both hands 
up until fingers meet above head, lowering to side, rais- 
ing again, etc. Then those in red march to left corner 
of front of stage, those in blue to right corner of front, 
while those in white come down center to front. Those 
in red pass across front to right corner as those in 
blue pass to left corner. Those in white wait at front of 
stage and as the reds and blues cross front two girls in 
white follow the reds, the other two follow the blues, the 
two lines pass up sides of stage and off at back. 



DRILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 117 

THE BLUE AND THE GRAY ON THE RAPPA- 
HANNOCK 

Marie Irish 

a drill and medley for from twenty to forty chil- 
dren of various grades 

Characters and Costumes: The part of Goddess of Liberty 
should be taken by a young lady with strong voice who recites 
well. She should dress in w-hite, hair flowing, gilt crown, drapery 
of red-white-and-blue, and carry a flag. If desired this part may 
be taken by a boy dressed in patriotic costume to represent Uncle 
Sam. Or a good effect is obtained by having both take part, 
Liberty and Uncle Sara taking turns in reciting. If possible to 
obtain so many, have twelve little girls take part in the Call of the 
Flag march. These girls should be dressed in white with patriotic 
sashes or red-white-and-blue streamers on left shoulder, and all 
carry flags. The Response of the Soldier march is given by 
twelve boys of various sizes, wearing dark suits, one of whom 
carries a drum and the others carry guns. If desired some of 
the same boys may take part in this who take part in the Blue and 
Gray drill. The latter drill is given by at least sixteen boys, 
grammar grade, eight of whom dress in blue and eight in gray. 
One of the boys in blue carries a U. S. flag, and one of those in 
gray carries a Confederate flag; the rest carry guns. 

TO THE strains of yankee doodle the Goddess of 
Liberty comes onto stage, marches down left side, 
from left comer front in a diagonal line to center 
of back, down to right corner front, up right side, across 
to center of back and halts. Music ceases and the little 
"flag girls" march in, half from each side of stage, half 
way between Liberty and front of stage. The files pass 
across stage and off at opposite sides, turn and march 
on again, meet at center of stage, form couples, first 
couple turns and passes off at right side, second couple 
at left side, etc., thus: 



Q LIBERTY 



118 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

The flag is carried in right hand, arm hanging at side, 
flag resting against right shoulder. While this march 
is being given as silently as possible, Liberty recites in 
strong, clear voice and a great deal of feeling the follow- 
ing medley: 

THE CALL OF THE FLAG 

"Speed our Republic, O Father on high! 

Lead us in pathways of justice and right; 
Hail ! three times hail to our country and flag ! 

Girdle with virtue the armor of might." 

"No refuge could save the hireling and slave. 
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the 
grave : 
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth 
wave 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the 
brave." 

" 'A song for our banner ?' The watchword recall 
Which gave the Republic her station: 

'United we stand — divided we fall' ; 
It made and preserves us a nation." 

"Up with our banner bright, 
Sprinkled with starry light, 
Spread its fair emblems from mountain to shore. 
While through the sounding sky 
Loud rings the Nation's cry — 

UNION AND liberty! ONE EVERMORE !" 

The girls' march should be arranged to close about 
the time Liberty finishes speaking. One verse and chorus 
of MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA is then played and as 
music ceases the small boys come on and march in the 



DKILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 119 

same way as the girls did, the drummer boy beating time 
softly, occasionally. While the boys march Liberty 
sp^*ks : 

THE RESPONSE OF THE SOLDIER 

"War! war! zvar! Heaven aid the right! 
God move the hero's arm in the fearful fight! 
God send the women sleep in the long, long night." 

"Never or now ! cries the blood of a nation, 
Poured on the turf where the red rose should 
bloom. 

Now is the day and the hour of salvation; 
Never or now! peals the trumpet of doom!" 

"Lay down the axe, fling by the spade, 
Leave in its track the toiling plough; 

The rifle and the bayonet-blade 

For arms like yours are fitter now: 

"And let the hands that ply the pen 
Quit the light task and learn to wield 

The horseman's crooked brand, and rein 
The charger on the battle-field." 

"And how can a man die better 

Than facing fearful odds 
For the ashes of his fathers 

And the temple of his gods ?" 

As Liberty concludes the lines and the boys march off, 
one verse and chorus of Columbia, the gem of the 
OCEAN, is played, then music changed to a patriotic march 
and the boys in Blue and Gray march on in two com- 
panies. Grays come on at front corner of right and 
Blues at front corner of left, march up sides of stage, 
across to near-center of back, down to front of stage. 



130 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

to corners, up sides and at corners of back second boy 
in each line steps up by first, fourth by third, etc., and 
form double files. March to near-center of stage, down 
center to front, up sides, and at corners of back each 
company forms fours, march half way down stage and 
halt in lines of four each, thus: 

Liberty 

GGGG BBBB 

GGGG BBBB 

Music stops and Liberty recites : 



THE CONTEST 

1. "And there was mounting in hot haste; the steed, 

2. The mustering squadron, and the clattering car, 

3. Went pouring forward with impetuous speed, 

4. And swiftly forming in the ranks of war." 

5. *'By torch and trumpet fast arrayed, 

6. Each horseman drew his battle-blade, 

7. And furious every charger neighed, 

8. To join the dreadful revelry. 

9. Then shook the hills with thunder riven, 

10. Then rushed the steed to battle driven, 

11. And louder than the bolts of heaven 

12. Far flashed the red artillery." 

13. *'Hark ! Hark ! there go the well-known crashing vol- 

leys, the long-continued roar 

14. That swells and falls but never ceases wholly, until 

the fight is o'er. 

15. Up toward the crystal gates of heaven ascending, 

the mortal tempests beat, 

16. As if they sought to try their cause together, before 

God's very feet." 

17. "Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green, 

That host with their banners at sunset were seen ; 



DKILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 121 

Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath 

blown, 
That host on the morrow lay wither'd and strown." 

The above lines are recited rather rapidly until num- 
ber 17 is reached, the last four being given slowly and 
sadly. When marching in the boys hold guns in right 
hand, arm full length at side, gun resting against right 
shoulder. While Liberty recites the boys go through 
following movements, corresponding to the numbers of 
the lines of the medley: I. Salute, by raising left hand 
until the forefinger touches forehead above left eye, 
thumb and fingers extended, palm to right. Drop arm 
at side. 2. Lines of Grays face left of stage, and Blues 
face the right. 3 and 4. All mark time as if marching 
rapidly. 5. Rest butt of gun on floor, arms hanging nat- 
urally at sides, right hand holding the barrel between 
thumb and fingers. 6. Raise gun and move to position 
in front of body, barrel in front of face, hold with both 
hands, left above the right. 7. Hold gun diagonally 
across chest, barrel resting on left shoulder and butt 
against right thigh. 8. Blues take steady aim at Grays, 
and vice versa. 9. Arrange for some noise at side of 
stage to represent firing. 10 and 11. Blues kneel and aim 
at Grays, and vice versa. 12. More '"booming" behind 
scenes. 13. Rise and each company retreats backward 
a step, holding guns at right sides. 14. Come forward 
toward center, quickly, and aim. 15. Rest guns. 16. 
Bring guns to position and mark time as if marching 
rapidly. 17. Each company faces front of stage, stack 
guns in lots of four each and then sit on floor in lines of 
four, facing front of stage. Music is resumed and john 
brown's body is played through once, then Liberty steps 
forward to front of stage and recites : 

''The sun had sunk into the distant west ; 
The cannon ceased to roar, which tell of rest — 
Rest from the shedding of a nation's blood. 
Rest to lav their comrades 'neath the sod. 



122 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

" 'Twas early spring, and calm and still the night ; 
The moon had risen casting silvery light ; 
On either side of stream the armies lay 
Waiting for morn to renew the fray. 

"The Rappahannock silently flowed on, 
Between the hills so fair to look upon ; 
Whose dancing waters tingled with silvery light, 
Vied in their beauty with the starry night. 

"But list ! from northern hills there steal along 
The softest strains of music and of song " 

A good effect is obtained by turning off lights during 
the music of john brown's body so stage is dim during 
the speaking and the singing. As Liberty pauses the 
Boys in Blue sing a stanza of the star-spangled ban- 
ner. When they finish, the Boys in Gray sing a stanza 
of DIXIE LAND. It is a good plan to have a chorus of 
voices behind the scenes help with the singing of both 
songs, to give more force to them. As last song is fin- 
ished lights are turned on, Liberty resumes her place at 
back of stage, boys rise, leave guns, Boy in Gray leaves 
his Confederate flag, all march to near-front of stage and 
form across in two lines of eight each, thus : 

GBGBGBGB 
BGBGBGBG 

The little girls in white who carried flags now march 
in and stand in a row back of the boys, Liberty stands 
just back of the line of girls. 

Liberty recites : 

"The fiercest agonies have the shortest reign, 
And after dreams of horror comes again 
The welcome morning with its rays of peace." 



DEILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 123 

The little girls recite in concert : 

"Peace ! and no longer from its brazen portals 
The blast of War's great organ shakes the skies ! 
But beautiful as songs of the immortals 
The holy melodies of love arise." 

All the boys recite together : 

"The union of lakes, the union of lands, 
The union of States none can sever; 
The union of hearts, the union of hands, 
And the flag of our Union forever." 

Liberty waves her flag, the girls with flags wave them 
above the heads of the Boys in Blue and Gray, each boy 
in blue joins right hand with a boy in gray, and everyone 
sings the first stanza of my country, 'tis of thee. 
Colored light may be thrown upon the scene for a tab- 
leau and then the curtain dropped, or Liberty may come 
to front of stage, lead the boys (who follow in single 
file), and then the little girls last, once around the stage 
and then off. 



PATRIOTIC SONG PANTOMIMES 

Marie Irish 

The Star-Spangled Banner 

HANG back of stage with dark cloth, cover a box 
with dark material and to back or center of it 
fasten a large flag. Let the box stand four feet 
from wall so as to leave room to pass behind it. 

If possible have ten girls of good size, ten small girls 
and ten boys take part, though this number may be re- 
duced if necessary. All the girls dress in white with 
trimmings of red, white and blue and each carries a flag. 



124 



LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 



As the music of star-spangled banner begins the large 
girls march on in two lines, half coming from right and 
half from left. After them come the small girls, half 
from each side, all march and take places thus : 




They stand motionless, with flags at right side until 
music reaches words, ''Oh ! say, does the star-spangled 
banner still wave," then all raise flags and wave them. 
As music of second stanza begins, the girls hold flags 
again at sides, and the boys march in, each one carrying 
an air-gun or rifle. They come on stage, half from right 
and half from left, marching slowly and carefully. As 
the boys get nearly to center of stage each girl quickly 
raises her flag, takes aim with it as though it were a 
gun, pointing it at line of boys. The boys stop as if in 
fear, then pass quickly from stage, those from the right 
going of¥ at left, and those from left going ofif at right. 
Then as the music reaches the refrain, sing the words of 
third stanza instead of second, the boys helping behind 
scenes and all singing with spirit, ''And the star-spangled 
banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the free 
and the home of the brave," the girls waving their flags. 
A fine effect may be obtained by burning colored light* 
during the singing. 



* The colored light referred to is what is known as Tableaux Light. 
It is put up in quarter-pound cans, each of one color, In Red, Green, 
Blue, Gold, and White. It may he had from the publishers of this 
boolc for per can, 30 cents ; two for 55 cents ; or four for $1.00 ; pre- 
paid. 



DRILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 



135 



America 

Hang back of stage with dark cloth, also cover with dark 
material a box that stands at center of back of stage. On 
this box, as curtain is drawn, stands a young lady dressed 
as Columbia, wearing white gown, drapery of red, white 
and blue bunting, and gilt crown on head. She holds in 
one hand a large flag and in the other six streamers made 
of cambric: two white, two red, and two blue, three or 
four inches wide and nearly two yards long. On either 
side of Columbia stand three girls, dressed in white and 
wearing sashes of red, white and blue, tied in a bow at 
side. Columbia holds streamers by one end and each girl 
holds the end of one. They stand thus : 




As music of second stanza is begun they kneel, taking 
position as marked by crosses in the diagram. As music 
of third stanza is begun the girls rise, raise hands holding 
streamers, point upward, and gaze reverently heaven- 
ward. All sing very softly the words of stanza, "Our 
fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty," etc. 



126 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

Swanee Ribber 

Have the words of the song sung by someone behind the 
scenes, the verse by one person and the chorus by a num- 
ber of voices. Across the stage hang a curtain, leaving 
room in front for a person to walk. A young man, or 
tall boy, comes on stage with face blackened and wig of 
curled hair (made by sewing curled hair onto a circular 
piece of black cloth, then running a rubber cord around 
edge and drawing up to fit head*), wearing stifif hat, 
common dark suit and a large bright necktie. He stands 
in front of curtain at right of stage as the words are sung : 

" 'Way down upon de Swanee ribber, 
Far, far away, 
Dere's wha' my heart is turning ebber, 
Dere's wha' de old folks stay." 

With head bent, hands in pockets and a dejected man- 
ner he walks slowly across stage to left and back to cen- 
ter during the words : 

"All up and down de whole creation 
Sadly I roam, 
Still longing for de old plantation 
And for de old folks at home." 

He stands at center of front during singing of chorus : 

"All de world am sad and dreary (hands extended at 
sides, amis length) 
Eb'rywhere I roam; (hands brought together in 
front of body) 
Oh! darkies, how my heart grows weary (right hand 
over heart) 
Far from de old folks at home !" (left hand in pocket, 
head bowed on right hand, sad, dejected attitude) 

* These wigs may also be purchased, ready for use, from the pub- 
lishers ol this bool£. 



DEILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 127 

At close of chorus the impersonator goes to right cor- 
ner of front of stage and stands there during the second 
stanza. The curtain is now drawn, revealing two little 
darkey boys, scantily clothed, feet bare, and old hats on 
heads. They chase each other across back of stage dur- 
ing the words: 

"All round de little farm I wandered 

When I was young, 
Den many happy days I squander'd. 

Many de songs I sung; 
When I was playing with my brudder 

Happy was I;" 

A girl with face blackened, bright cap on head, calico 
dress, large apron, and bright kerchief around neck comes 
on stage and one little darkey boy stands on either side of 
her as the words are sung : 

''Oh! take me to my kind old mudder, 
Dere let me live and die." 

The mother and little boys stand at back of stage dur- 
ing chorus, the young man comes out to near-center and 
acts chorus as before, except at the words, *Tar from 
de old folks at home!" he turns and extends both arms 
toward the group at back of stage. 

As third stanza is begun the mother and boys pass off 
and a young colored lady, gaily and gaudily dressed in 
bright colors, with a large, "much-trimmed" hat, comes on 
and stands at back of stage. She gazes off to side of 
stage and a young man, dressed about like one who does 
the acting, comes on carrying a banjo. She goes to meet 
him, they walk back to center of back, she sits on a stump 
of wood (or something to give an outdoor effect), and 
he sits at her feet and pretends to play the banjo. During 
the singing of this stanza the impersonator stands as be- 
fore, at side of stage, but as chorus begins he comes 
toward center of front and acts as during second singing 



128 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

of chorus. The mother and two boys come back on and 
stand, tableau effect, beside the girl and boy with the 
banjo. 

The Blue and the Gray 

Hang back of stage with black cloth and fasten on wall, 
staffs crossed, two good-sized flags. A few feet from 
the back, with about four feet aisle between them, ar- 
range two graves by using small boxes covered with dark 
cloth for the mounds and nailing at the head of each a 
white board for a stone. If it is not desired to have the 
words sung they may be recited by someone at side of 
stage. A girl dressed as a woman, all in black, comes on 
slowly, passes across back of stage from left to right, 
down right side, up to aisle between two mounds and 
kneels beside one of them as the stanza is read : 

"By the flow of the inland river, 

Whence the fleets of iron have fled. 
Where the blades of the grave-grass quiver, 
Asleep are the ranks of the dead ; 
Under the sod and the dew, 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Under the one, the Blue, 
Under the other, the Gray." 

She rises and from a small basket which she carries she 
places a bouquet on the mound by which she knelt, then 
turns and places one on the other mound as the words 
are read : 

*Trom the silence of sorrowful hours. 
The desolate mourners go. 
Lovingly laden with flowers, 
AUke for the friend and the foe ; 
Under the sod and the dew, 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Under the roses, the Blue, 
Under the lilies, the Gray." 



DRILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 129 

As stanza is finished she passes to back and stands by 
flags. Six girls in white, each carrying a small basket of 
flowers, march on at left back, pass to center, then down 
aisle between mounds to front; three turn to each side, 
pass around and stand in two lines of three each, one line 
on outside of each mound, both lines facing center, while 
stanza is read : 

"So, with an equal splendor. 
The morning sun-rays fall. 
With a touch impartially tender. 
On the blossoms blooming for all; 
Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Broidered with gold, the Blue, 
Mellowed with gold, the Gray." 

As the next stanza is begun the girls cover the mounds 
with flowers, then march back up the aisle between 
mounds and stand three on each side of girl in black by 
flags, finally all marching off stage when stanza is fin- 
ished : 

"No more shall the war cry sever, 

Or the winding rivers be red ; 

They banish our anger for ever 

When they laurel the graves of our dead. 

Under the sod and the dew. 

Waiting the judgment day; 
Love and tears for the Blue, 
Tears and love for the Gray." 

— Francis Miles Finch 

Auld Lang Syne 

This should be given by two as small children as can act 
it nicely : a little girl with hair powdered, long dark dress, 
white kerchief and apron, small black lace cap and spec- 



130 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

tacles, and a boy with glasses, powdered hair, long 
trousers, coat fixed by sewing black ''swallow tails" onto 
a short dark coat, a white cravat and a stiff hat. As song 
begins they sit at a small table on which are cups and 
saucers and a tea-pot of tea. The girl pours out a cup of 
tea for each during the words : 

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And never brought to mind ? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot. 
And days of auld lang syne?" 

Then as the chorus is sung the boy rises and bows low, 
then sits and they raise cups, clink them and each takes 
a drink : 

"For auld lang syne, my dear, 
For auld lang syne; 
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet. 
For auld lang syne." 

They lean forward and appear to be talking during the 
words of second verse : 

"We twa ha'e run aboot the braes, 
And pu'd the gowans fine; 
But we've wandered mony a weary foot 
Sin' auld lang syne." 

During singing of chorus second time the girl rises, 
makes a courtesy to boy, then sits and they drink as 
before. 

They stand and shake hands during the stanza : 

"And here's a hand, my trusty frien'. 
And gi'e's a hand o' thine ; 
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld lang syne." 



DKILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 131 

During the chorus each turns to table, takes up cup, 
both bow, clink cups and drink. 

Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean 

Words are sung by a chorus of voices off stage. At cen- 
ter of stage have a pedestal — box covered with dark cloth 
will do— on which a girl dressed as Goddess of Liberty 
stands, holding a large flag. A number of girls in white, 
each with a small flag, come in and march in circle around 
Liberty as the words are sung: 

*'Oh, Columbia, the gem of the ocean, 
The home of the brave and the free, 
The shrine of each patriot's devotion, 
A world offers homage to thee." 

Six boys march in and stand three on each side of Lib- 
erty, the line of girls standing back of the boys and wav- 
ing flags during words: 

"Thy mandates make heroes assemble. 
When Liberty's form stands in view ; 
Thy banners make tyranny tremble, 
When borne by the red, white and blue." 

During the chorus the boys stand in line in front of 
Liberty and the girls march around them, waving flags. 
Liberty waves flag also. 

Half of the boys and half of the girls stand in lines on 
either side of Liberty and give salute to flag during the 
words* : 

" 'Old Glory,' to greet now come hither, 
With eyes full of love to the brim ; 
May the wreaths of our heroes ne'er wither. 
Nor a star of their banner grow dim." 

* The words in these four lines have been somewhat changed to fit 
the occasion. 



132 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Then during the rest of the third stanza and the chorus 
the boys stand at back of Liberty, three on either side, 
and the girls kneel in tableau effect in front of her. 



Home, Sweet Home 

At back of stage arrange a family group around a small 
table on which are some flowers and a lamp. The mother 
is sewing, father reading, a little girl playing with a 
dolly, and a boy working examples. All look happy and 
cosy. As curtain is drawn revealing the scene, the first 
stanza of home, sweet home is sung, and a young man 
in soldier uniform, carrying a gun over shoulder, 
marches back and forth across front of stage as if on 
duty, looking sad and lonely. 

(If desired, instead of a family group the scene may 
disclose an elderly lady with bible on her knee.) 



TABLEAUX 

Marie Irish 

When I*m a Man 

A LITTLE boy wearing a soldier cap, a blue coat 
much too large for him, a sword buckled at his 
side, a gun in one hand and a flag in the other, 
stands in center of stage. As colored light* is thrown 
on the stage he speaks : 

"When I'm a man, a big, tall man, 
I'll be a soldier, brave and true, 
I will fight my country's battles. 

Led on by the Red, White and Blue." 

♦ See footnote, p. 124. 



DEILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 133 

The Soldier's Farewell 

Little boy dressed as in preceding scene stands with a 
little girl who has on a long dress and hair done on top 
of head. She stands half turned away from the boy, who 
has a hand on her shoulder as if trying to comfort her. 
Her face is buried in her hands and she seems to weep as 
he recites: 

"How can I bear to leave thee? 
It breaks my heart to grieve thee, 
But now, whate'er befalls me, 
I go where duty calls me." 

The March of Civilization 

A CURTAIN is drawn, revealing at the back of a dimly- 
lighted stage an Indian tepee with several Indians stand- 
ing near. A march is played and after several measures 
the others come onto stage. The line is led by boy 
dressed as Uncle Sam, who takes position at center of 
stage in front of tepee. On either side of him stands a 
soldier, and next to the soldiers stand sailors. The others 
arrange themselves in line, some on one side and some on 
other, some sitting on floor in front of line. One, with 
bible, dresses as minister, one as farmer with large straw 
hat and rake over shoulder. One as doctor, one as baker, 
one with tools as carpenter, etc. A girl dresses as nurse ; 
another with gown and mortar-bored cap as a student; 
one has pen and scroll for writing ; and another carries a 
typewriter, sits on floor with it in front of her and pre- 
tends to write on it. When all are in places colored light 
is thrown on scene and Uncle Sam recites : 

"Onward, forward, with steady pace. 
Progress leads the American race ; 
And 'neath her penetrating ray 
New wonders come to light each day." 



3.34 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

Liberty 

A COLORED boy, barefoot and scantily dressed m short 
trousers and colored shirt, with a white cloth around 
head for turban, stands fastened to a box with a chain. 
The box is covered with dark cloth and on it stands girl 
dressed as Liberty — long white robe, crown, a drapery of 
red, white and blue, and in her hand a flag. As light is 
turned on she looks sadly at boy, then waves her flag 
above him, and the chain which was lightly fastened 
drops to floor as boy gives it a pull. He looks at fallen 
chain, then sinks on knees and, raising hands, clasps 
them and gazes at Liberty as if asking help. Liberty 
waves flag above him. 

Peace 

On a dais at back of stage sits boy costumed as Uncle 
Sam, with a large flag. On one side of him stands Lib- 
erty, in white with drapery of red, white and blue, and 
gilt crown. On other side is Wisdom, wearing white 
dress with purple mantle fastened on right shoulder, 
bronze cap with plumes, sandals, and shield and spear by 
her side. To a side and a little in advance of Liberty 
stands Truth, all in white and carrying banner with 
"Truth" printed on it. By Wisdom stands Justice, in 
blue with scarlet mantle fastened on right shoulder and 
thrown back over left arm. In her right hand she holds 
a pair of scales and her left rests on a sword. Kneeling 
at right corner of dais is Ceres, the goddess of corn and 
harvests, dressed in yellow trimmed with grain, her left 
hand on sheaf of wheat, her right holding a horn of 
grain extended to Uncle Sam. Kneeling at left of dais 
is Pomona, the goddess of fruits, dressed in red trimmed 
with vines and clusters of grapes. She holds up to Uncle 
Sam a basket of fruit. As light is turned on a stanza of 
AMERICA is played. 



DEILLS, PANTOMIMES, TABLEAUX 135 

Scenes from the Life of Lincoln 

I. THE STUDENT 

Arrange a fireplace by nailing up boards covered with 

dark cloth in this shape | 1, piling some wood under 

it, pouring on some wood alcohol, which is set on fire as 
curtain is drawn. Lying on the floor studying by light 
of fire is a tall, dark boy. 

II. THE LABORER 

A TALL, dark boy in common work clothes, trousers 
rather short, stands with axe upraised ready to strike. 

IIL THE EMANCIPATOR 

A TALL, dark boy dressed in long black coat and rather 
ill-fitting clothes, dark hair rumpled and pushed back 
from forehead, sits writing as a rough-looking fellow 
with whip in one hand tries to pull a little boy, face black- 
ened and poorly clothed, from his negro mother, who 
clings to child and weeps. A boy marches on stage, 
carrying large flag and recites : 

''No slave beneath that starry flag. 

The emblem of the free ! 
No fettered hand shall wield the brand 

That smites for liberty : 
No tramp of servile armies 

Shall shame Columbia's shore. 
For he who fights for freedom's rights 
Is free for evermore !" 

— George L. Taylor 

IV. THE PARDONER 

Boy dressed as Lincoln stands in center of stage. By his 
side kneels a young lady, looking imploringly at him, 
hands raised and clasped. Lincoln shakes head sadly 
for ''no." Girl bows head on hands and weeps. Lincoln 



136 LINCOLN DAY ENTEBTAINMENTS 

goes hurriedly to desk, writes, gives her the paper. She 
kisses his hand, waves farewell and hurries from stage. 

V. THE MARTYR 

On an easel at center of stage have a picture of Lin- 
coln, two large flags draped above it and smaller ones 
around it. On either side of picture stand girls dressed 
in white trimmed with red, white and blue bunting, each 
holding a flag. They repeat : 

"He went about his work — such work as few 
Ever had laid on head and heart and hand — 
As one who knows, where there's a task to do, 
Man's honest will must Heaven's good grace command. 

"So he went forth to battle, on the side 

That he felt clear was Liberty's and Right's, 
As in his peasant boyhood he had plied 

His warfare with rude Nature's thwarting mights. 

"So he grew up, a destined work to do, 

And lived to do it : four long-suffering years. 
Ill-fate, ill-feeling, ill-report lived through, 
And then he heard the hisses changed to cheers." 

— Tom Taylor, 



SONGS, STORIES, FACTS 

WHEN LINCOLN WAS A LITTLE BOY 

Clara J. Denton 
Tune: Yankee doodle 



w 



HEN Lincoln was a little boy, 
So fond was he of reading, 
His book was with him at the plough 
Or in the garden weeding. 



His home was in the woods and so 
He couldn't have much schooling. 

He had to work the live-long day, 
And had no time for fooling. 

He understood the plough and hoe 
And with the ax was handy. 

He didn't care for dressing up, 
And never was a dandy. 

For all the while his head was filled 
With plans for gaining knowledge. 

A first-class lawyer he became. 
Yet never went to college. 

He borrowed books from far and near, 
From every kindly neighbor. 

And studied them most faithfully 
When resting from his labor. 
137 



138 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Chorus: Keep on working, working on, 
Daily knowledge claiming, 
And you at last will reach the heights 
At which you are aiming. 



THE DAY WE CELEBRATE 

Clara J. Denton 
Tune: work^ for the night is coming* 

THE DAY that gave us Lincoln 
Is one we all love well ; 
The day which now we honor 
More than we can tell. 
O little old log cabin, 
Afar in forest wild, 
We love your roof that sheltered 
This most wondrous child. 

And while we sing his praises 

We'll try like him to be : 
All upright, true ai-d noble, 

From self-seeking free. 
And we will yet remember. 

However poor our state. 
There still is a chance, like Lincoln, 

To grow good and great. 

This day we will remember 

In loyal love and joy ; 
For time or change can never 

Faith in him destroy. 
Yes, wreathe this day with flowers 

Forever in our thought ; 
It gave the world a hero 

And sweet freedom brought. 

* Music for this may be found in Golden Glees song book, by S. C. 
Hanson. Price, ttiirty-five cents, postpaid. 



w 



SONGS, STOEIES, FACTS 139 

LINCOLN SONG 

Tune: tenting on the old camp ground 

E ARE thinking today of a loved one lost, 

Lincoln, the true, the brave ; 
Of the strong one who came, when tempest tossed, 

Our nation's bark to save. 



Chorus: 

Many are the hearts that are mourning today. 

Mourning for the brave laid low ; 
Many are the eyes looking up to say. 

Oh, why must this be so ! 
Help us to say, humbly we pray, 

Father, may Thy will be done ! 

We are thinking today how he led us on, 

Just as the Lord led him, 
To the glorious victory well-nigh won ; 

And our eyes with tears grow dim. 

Chorus: Many are the hearts, etc. 

We are weeping today, but the hour will come. 

Come when we all shall see 
Why the will of the Lord hath called him Home, 

No more with us to be. 

Chorus: Many are the hearts, etc. 



THE NAME WE SING 

Clara J. Denton 

Tune: America 

OF LINCOLN now we sing. 
Loud let the welkin ring, 
The sound prolong. 
He broke the bondsman's thrall 



LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

And freedom brought to all, 
His mighty blows let fall 
The shackles strong. 

This man of pure intent, 
Whose every thought was bent 

Sweet peace to bring. 
O eyes so keen of view, 
O mighty heart so true, 
O soul with courage new, 

Of thee we sing. 

So long as human speech 
O'er this broad land shall reach 

From shore to shore. 
Here will his noble name 
Its high place always claim 
Unequaled in its fame 

Forever more. 



HIS NAME 
Clara J. Denton 

Tune: marching through Georgia 

IN OLD Kentucky's wilds in a cabin that we know. 
Before this day of days just one hundred years ago, 
A blue-eyed baby came to this world of strife and woe, 
And plain ''Abraham" they called him. 

Chorus: 

O yes, O yes, for truth will make you free, 

O yes, O yes, sweet truth gives liberty. 

We'll sing this chorus over, and shout from sea to sea 

'Tis now "Honest Abe" we honor. 



SONGS, STORIES, FACTS 141 

But later on, because he the truth would always tell, 
Another name they gave him and it became him well ; 
A name we'll always treasure, which none could buy or 
sell, 
And now ''Honest Abe" we honor. 

Chorus: O yes, O yes, etc. 

And, now, if we could choose a great blessing for each 

youth, 
A something that would last till the end of life forsooth, 
We know we'd choose at once ''Honest Abe's" great love 
for truth. 
And now "Honest Abe" we honor. 

Chorus: O yes, O yes, etc. 

To be the President is indeed an honor great. 
And most nobly did he bear his duty's heavy weight, 
But the name that first he won was more than royal state, 
And now "Honest Abe" we honor. 

Chorus: O yes, O yes, etc. 



A SONG OF REJOICING 

Clara J. Denton 

Tune: the battle cry of freedom 

WE ARE children of one flag, friends, yes, of the 
colors three. 
And proudly we're singing of Lincoln. 
He it was who kept this country all safe for you and me, 
And proudly we're singing of Lincoln. 



142 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

Chorus: The old flag forever, hurrah ! friends, hurrah ! 
"To Lincoln we owe it" 
Shout from afar, 
While we rally 'round the flag, friends. 

Rally once again, 
Still proudly we're singing of Lincoln. 

And today we'll not forget while our flag is waving 
high. 
And gladly we're singing of Lincoln, 
All the soldier boys that fought and for us did bravely 
die. 
Still gladly we're singing of Lincoln. 

Chorus: The old flag forever, etc. 

Yes, the country that he saved we will honor ever more. 

While loudly we're singing of Lincoln. 
And the dear old flag shall wave still on high from shore 
to shore. 

While loudly we're singing of Lincoln. 

Chorus: The old flag forever, etc. 

Since for Freedom did he live, and for Freedom did he 
die. 
Now proudly we're singing of Lincoln. 
We will strive like him to keep all our standards pure 
and high. 
While proudly we're singing of Lincoln. 

Chorus: The old flag forever, etc. 



LINCOLN DEAR 



Laura R. Smith 
Lively 



Clarence L. Riege 



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1. Wave the bon-nie ban-nera high, O Lin-coln dear! A 

2. Bonnie flags shall crown you now, O Lincoln dear, We 



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host of children pass-ing by, O Lin - coin dear, Will 
place them by your no-ble brow, O Lin - coin dear; And 



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sing to you their sweetest song, As they now proud-ly 
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march a-long, For laurels un-to you be-long, O Lincoln dear, 
hearts is sent, You were our honored President, O Lincoln dear. 
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wave the Red, the White, the Blue, For Lincoln dear today. 
143 



LIHCOLH'S BIRTHDAY 



Laura R. Smith 



F. F. Churchill & 
Mrs. Clara Grincell 



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ban - ner, Flag of red and white and blue. Fare-well, 



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THE SUNNY SOUTHLAND 



Laura R. Smith 

Allegretto 



Clarence L. Riegb 



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2. 'Way down in the sun 

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The black boy on the 
The wee black boy must 




lul - la - by. To the tune of the old ban - jo 

ban -jo strings Likes to play the same tune to you 

go to sleep, For the Sandman is pass - ing by 




146 



The Sunny Southland— Concluded 

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148 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

WHY DUMMY CLOCKS MARK 8:i8 

THERE are few who have not seen the ordinary 
sign of a jeweler, an immense imitation of a watch 
hanging over the front of the store. But it is safe 
to say that the number who have ever detected anything 
curious in these same signs is small. At 8:i8 p. m., 
April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 
Ford's Theatre at Washington by John Wilkes Booth. 
Since that fatal night every one of these watch-signs that 
has gone from the factory of the only man who makes 
them has shown the hour of 8:18. The man who makes 
them said : "I was working on a sign for Jeweler Adams, 
who kept a store on Broadway across the street from 
Stewart's. He came running in while I was at work and 
told me the news. Taint those hands at the hour Lin- 
coln was shot, that the deed may never be forgotten,' he 
said. I did so. Since then every watch-sign that has 
gone out of here has been lettered the same as that one." 

— Journal of Education 

LINCOLN'S TENDERNESS 

WHEN Lincoln was on his way to the National 
Cemetery at Gettysburg, an old gentleman told 
him that his only son fell on Little Round Top at 
Gettysburg and he was going to look at the spot. 

Mr. Lincoln replied: "You have been called on to 
make a terrible sacrifice for the Union, and a visit to that 
spot, I fear, will open your wounds afresh. 

"But, oh, my dear sir, if we had reached the end of 
such sacrifices, and had nothing left for us to do but to 
place garlands on the graves of those who have already 
fallen, we could give thanks even amidst our tears ; but 
when I think of the sacrifices of life yet to be ofifered, and 
the hearts and homes yet to be made desolate before this 
dreadful war is over, my heart is like lead within me, and 
I feel at times like hiding in deep darkness." 



SONGS, STORIES, FACTS 149 

At one of the stopping places of the train a beautiful 
little girl, having a bunch of rosebuds in her hand, was 
held up to an open window of the President's car, lisp- 
ing, ''Flowerth for the Prethident." The President 
stepped to the window, took the rosebuds, bent down and 
kissed the child, saying: "You are a sweet little rosebud 
yourself! I hope your life will open into perpetual 
beauty and goodness." 

GRANTING A PARDON 

This story, probably better than any other, illustrates the noble 
and sublime qualities of our great Lincoln. It is a forceful illus- 
tration of his justice — justice tempered with mercy. 

^^"^"V tELL, my child," he said, in his pleasant, cheer- 
V^ ful tone, "what do you want so bright and 
^ ^ early in the morning?" 

"Bennie's life, please," faltered Blossom. 

"Bennie? Who is Bennie?" 

"My brother, sir. They are going to shoot him for 
sleeping at his post." 

"Oh, yes ;" and Mr. Lincoln ran his eye over the papers 
before him. "I remember. It was a fatal sleep. You 
see, child, it was a time of special danger. Thousands of 
lives might have been lost for his culpable negligence." 

"So my father said," replied Blossom, gravely; "but 
poor Bennie was so tired and Jemmie so weak. He did 
the work of two, sir, and it was Jemmie's night, not his ; 
but Jemmie was too tired, and Bennie never thought about 
himself, that he was tired, too." 

"What is this you say, child? Come here; I do not 
understand," and the kind man caught eagerly, as ever, 
at what seemed to be a justification of an offense. 

Blossom went to him ; he put his hand tenderly on her 
shoulder and turned up the pale, anxious face toward his. 
How tall he seemed! and he was the President of the 
United States, too. But Blossom told her simple and 
straightforward story, and handed Mr. Lincoln Bennie's 
letter to read. 



150 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

He read it carefully ; then, taking up his pen, wrote a 
few hasty lines and rang his bell. 

Blossom heard this order given: "Send this dispatch 
at once." 

The President then turned to the girl and said: "Go 
home, my child, and tell that father of yours, who could 
approve his country's sentence even when it took the life 
of a child like that, that Abraham Lincoln thinks the life 
far too precious to be lost. Go back — or wait until to- 
morrow. Bennie will need a change after he has so 
bravely faced death ; he shall go with you." 

"God bless you, sir," said Blossom ; and who shall doubt 
that God heard and registered the request? 

Two days after this interview the young soldier came 
to the White House with his little sister. He was called 
into the President's private office and a strap fastened 
upon his shoulder. Mr. Lincoln then said: "The soldier 
that could carry a sick comrade's baggage and die for the 
act so uncomplainingly deserves well of his country." 
Then Bennie and Blossom took their way to their green 
mountain home. A crowd gathered at the Mill depot to 
welcome them back; and as Farmer Owen's hand 
grasped that of his boy, tears flowed down his cheeks, 
and he was heard to say fervently: "The Lord be 
praised !" 

LINCOLN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

This is what Abraham Lincoln himself had to say of his own and 
his family history, in a letter to his friend, the Hon. Jesse W. 
Fell, of Bloomington, 111., under date of December 20, 1859— the 
year preceding his election to the Presidency, and about the time 
his friends were beginning to think seriously of his nomination : 

44X ^-^^ born February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, 
I Kentucky. My parents were both born in Vir- 
ginia, of distinguished families — second families, 
perhaps I should say. My mother, who died in my tenth 
year, was of a family of the name of Hanks, some of 



SONGS, STORIES, FACTS 151 

whom now reside in Adams and others in Macon County, 
Illinois. My paternal grandfather, Abraham Lincoln, 
emigrated from Rockingham County, Virginia, to Ken- 
tucky, about 1 781 or 1782, where, a year or two later, 
he was killed by Indians, not in battle, but by stealth, 
when he was laboring to open a farm in the forest. His 
ancestors, who were Quakers, went to Virginia from 
Berks County, Pennsylvania. An effort to identify them 
with the New England family of the same name ended 
in nothing more than a similarity of Christian names in 
both families, such as Enoch, Levi, Mordecai, Solomon, 
Abraham, and the like. 

''My father, at the death of his father, was but six 
years of age, and he grew up literally without education. 
He removed from Kentucky to what is now Spencer 
County, Indiana, in my eighth year. We reached our 
new home about the time the State came into the Union 
( 1816). It was a wild region, with many bears and other 
wild animals still in the woods. There I grew up. There 
were some schools, so-called, but no qualification was 
ever required of a teacher beyond 'readin', 'ritin', and 
'cipherin' to the Rule of Three. If a straggler, supposed 
to understand Latin, happened to sojourn in the neighbor- 
hood he was looked upon as a wizard. There was abso- 
lutely nothing to excite ambition for education. Of 
course, when I came of age, I did not know much. Still, 
somehow, I could read, write, and cipher to the Rule of 
Three, but that was all. I have not been to school since. 
The little advance I now have upon this store of education 
I have picked up from time to time under the pressure of 
necessity. 

'T was raised to farm-work, which I continued until I 
was twenty-two. At twenty-one I came to Illinois and 
passed the first year in Macon County. Then I got to 
New Salem, at that time in Sangamon, now in Menard 
County, where I remained a year as a sort of clerk in a 
store. Then came the Black Hawk War and I was elected 
a captain of volunteers — a success which gave me more 



152 LINCOLN DAY ENTEETAINMENTS 

pleasure than any I have had since. I went through the 
campaign, was elated, ran for the Legislature in the same 
year (1832), and was beaten — the only time I have ever 
been beaten by the people. The next, and three succeed- 
ing biennial elections, I was elected to the Legislature. 
I was not a candidate afterwards. During this legisla- 
tive period I had studied law and removed to Springfield 
to practice it. In 1846 I was once elected to the lower 
House of Congress, but was not a candidate for reelec- 
tion. From 1849 to 1854, both inclusive, practiced law 
more assiduously than ever before. Always a Whig in 
politics, and generally on the Whig electoral ticket mak- 
ing active canvasses. I was losing interest in politics 
when the repeal of the Missouri Compromise aroused me 
again. What I have done since then is pretty well 
known. 

'Tf any personal description of me is thought desirable 
it may be said I am, in height, six feet four inches, nearly ; 
lean in flesh, weighing, on an average, one hundred and 
eighty pounds; dark complexion, with coarse black hair, 
and gray eyes. No other marks or brands recollected. 
"Yours truly, 

"A. Lincoln." 



HOW THEY SANG THE "STAR SPANGLED 

BANNER" WHEN LINCOLN WAS 

INAUGURATED 

Thomas Nast 

I WAS in Washington a few days prior to the inaugu- 
ration of Lincoln in 1861, having been sent by the 
Harpers to take sketches when that event should come 
of¥. I did nothing but walk around the city and feel the 
public pulse, so to speak. There was no necessity of say- 
ing anything to anybody. You intuitively recognized that 
trouble was brewing. Many people had sworn that Lin- 



SONGS, STOEIES, FACTS 153 

coin should not be inaugurated. Their utterances had 
fired the Northern heart, and the people loyal to the old 
flag were just as determined that the lawfully elected 
President should be inaugurated, though blood should 
flow in the attempt. 

It was an awful time. People looked different then 
than they do now. Little knots of men could be seen 
conversing together in whispers on street corners, and 
even the whispers ceased when a person unknown to them 
approached. Everybody seemed to suspect everyone else. 
Women looked askance at each other, and children 
obliged to be out would scurry home as if frightened, 
probably having been given warning by the parents. 

The streets at night, for several nights prior to the 
inaugural ceremonies, were practically deserted. There 
was a hush over everything. It seemed to me that the 
shadow of death was hovering near. I had constantly 
floating before my eyes sable plumes and trappings of 
woe. I could hear dirges constantly and thought for a 
while that I would have to leave the place or go crazy. 

I knew that all these somber thoughts were but imagi- 
nation, but I also knew that the something which had in- 
fluenced my imagination was tangible — really existed. 

The 4th of March came and Mr. Lincoln was inau- 
gurated quietly and without ostentation. After the serv- 
ices were over and it became known that Mr. Lincoln had 
really been inducted into office there was a savage snarl 
went up from the disaffected ones. 

The snarl was infectious. 

It was answered by just as savage growls all over the 
city. But nothing was said. A single yell of defiance, a 
pistol-shot, or even an oath would have precipitated a 
conflict. 

Men simply glared at each other and gnashed their 
teeth, but were careful not to grit them so it could be 
heard. I went to my room in the Willard and sat down 
to do some work. I couldn't work. The stillness was 
oppressive. 



154 LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

At least a dozen times I picked up my pencils, only to 
throw them down again. I got up and paced the floor 
nervously, I heard men on either side of me doing the 
same thing. Walking didn't relieve the severe mental 
strain. I sat down in my chair and pressed my head in 
my hands. 

Suddenly I heard a window go up and someone step 
out on the balcony of the Ebbit House, directly opposite. 
Everybody in the hotel had heard him. 

What is he going to do ? I asked myself, and I suppose 
everyone else propounded the same mental interrogation. 

We hadn't to wait long. 

He began to sing the Star-Spangled Banner in a clear, 
strong voice. 

The effect was magical, electrical. One window went 
up, and another, and heads popped out all over the neigh- 
borhood. People began to stir on the streets. A crowd 
soon gathered. The grand old song was taken up and 
sung by thousands. 

The spell was broken, and when the song was finished 
tongues were loosened, and cheer after cheer rent the air. 

The man rooming next to me rapped on my door and 
insisted that I should take a walk with him. As we 
passed along the corridors we were joined by others, men 
wild with joy, some of them w^eeping and throwing their 
arms around each other's neck. 

Others were singing and all were happy. 

Washington was itself again. The "Star-Spangled 
Banner" had saved it. 



LINCOLN'S FAVORITE POEM 

MORTALITY 
(O WHY SHOULD THE SPIRIT OF MORTAL BE PROUD?) 

*'The evening of March 22, 1864," says F. B, Carpenter, *'was a 
most interesting one to me. I was with the President alone in his 
office for several hours. Busy with pen and papers when I went 



SONGS, STOKIES, FACTS 155 

in, he presently threw them aside and commenced talking to me 
of Shakespeare, of whom he was very fond. Little Tad, his son, 
coming in, he sent to the library for a copy of the plays, and 
then read to me several of his favorite passages. Relapsing into 
a sadder strain, he laid the book aside, and leaning back in his 
chair said: 

'' 'There is a poem which has been a great favorite with me 
for years, which was first shown to me when a young man by a 
friend, and which I afterward saw and cut from a newspaper 
and learned by heart. I would,' he continued, 'give a great deal 
to know who wrote it,* but I have never been able to ascertain. ' 
Then, half-closing his eyes, he repeated the verses to me as 
follows:" 



OWHY should the spirit of mortal be proud? 
Like a fast-flitting meteor, a fast-flying cloud, 
A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, 
He passes from life to his rest in the grave. 

The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade, 
Be scattered around, and together be laid ; 
And the young and the old, and the low and the high, 
Shall moulder to dust, and together shall lie. 

The child that a mother attended and loved, 
The mother that infant's affection that proved, 
The husband that mother and infant that blessed, 
Each, all, are away to their dwelling of rest. 

The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye. 
Shone beauty and pleasure, — her triumphs are by; 
And the memory of those that beloved her and praised 
Are alike from the minds of the living erased. 

The hand of the king that the scepter hath borne, 
The brow of the priest that the miter hath worn. 
The eye of the sage, and the heart of the brave, 
Are hidden and lost in the depths of the grave. 

♦ This poem was written by William Knox, a Scotchman. 



156 LINCOLN DAY ENTEKTAINMENTS 

The peasant whose lot was to sow and to reap, 
The herdsman who climbed with his goats to the steep, 
The beggar that wandered in search of his bread, 
Have faded away like the grass that we tread. 

The saint that enjoyed the communion of heaven, 
The sinner that dared to remain unforgiven, 
The wise and the foolish, the guilty and just, 
Have quietly mingled their bones in the dust. 

So the multitude goes, like the flower and the weed 
That wither away to let others succeed ; 
So the multitude comes, even those we behold. 
To repeat every tale that has often been told. 

For we are the same that our fathers have been ; 
We see the same sights that our fathers have seen, — 
We drink the same stream, and we feel the same sun. 
And we run the same course that our fathers have run. 

The thoughts we are thinking, our fathers would think ; 
From the death we are shrinking from, they too would 

shrink ; 
To the life we are clinging to, they too would cling; 
But it speeds from the earth like a bird on the wing. 

They loved, but their story we cannot unfold ; 
They scorned, but the heart of the haughty is cold ; 
They grieved, but no wail from their slumbers will come ; 
They enjoyed, but the voice of their gladness is dumb. 

They died, ay ! they died ! and we things that are now. 
That walk on the turf that lies over their brow. 
Who make in their dwellings a transient abode, 
Meet the changes they met on their pilgrimage road. 

Yea! hope and despondence, and pleasure and pain, 
Are mingled together in sunshine and rain ; 



SONGS, STORIES, FACTS I57 

And the smile and the tear, and the song and the dirge, 
Still follow each other, like surge upon surge. 

'Tis the wink of an eye, 'tis the draught of a breath. 
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death, 
From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud, — 
O why should the spirit of mortal be proud? 



THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS 

This address of Abraham Lincoln's was delivered at the dedi- 
cation of the National Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 
November 19, 1863. The great battles fought at Gettysburg, in 
July, 1863, made that spot historic ground. It was early per- 
ceived that the battles were critical, and they are now looked 
upon as the turning-point of the war of the Union. The ground 
where the fiercest conflict raged was taken for a national ceme- 
tery, and the dedication of the place was made an occasion of 
great solemnity. The orator of the day was Edward Everett, 
who was regarded as the most finished public speaker in the 
country. Mr. Everett made a long and eloquent address, and 
was followed by the President in a short and simple speech 
which deeply affected its hearers, and later the country, as a great 
speech. The impression created on the audience has deepened 
with time. Mr. Stanton's (Secretary of War in Lincoln's Cabi- 
net) prophecy as to the lasting qualities of the President's 
address has materialized. He said : ' ' Edward Everett has made 
a speech that will make many columns in the newspapers, and 
Mr. Lincoln's perhaps forty or fifty lines. Everett's is the 
speech of a scholar, polished to the last possibility. It is elegant 
and it is learned; but Lincoln's speech will be read by a 
thousand men where one reads Everett's, and will be remem- 
bered as long as anybody's speeches are remembered who 
speaks the English language." 

FOURSCORE and seven years ago, our fathers 
brought forth on this continent a new nation, con- 
ceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition 
that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a 
great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation 
so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We 
are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have 



158 LINCOLN BAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting- 
place for those who here gave their lives that that nation 
might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we 
should do this. But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, 
we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. 
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, 
have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or 
detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, 
what we say here, but it can never forget what they did 
here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here 
to the unfinished work which they who fought here have 
thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here 
dedicated to the great task remaining before us, — that 
from these honored dead we take increased devotion to 
that cause for which they gave the last full measure of 
devotion, — that we here highly resolve that these dead 
shall not have died in vain, — that this nation, under God, 
shall have a new birth of freedom, — and that govern- 
ment of the people, by the people, for the people, shall 
not perish from the earth. 



EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM 
LINCOLN 

A LIST OF IMPORTANT FACTS CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED 

1809 February 12. Born in a log-cabin in Hardin (now 
Larue) County, Kentucky. 

1816 His father moves with his family into the wilder- 
ness near Gentryville, Ind. 

1818 His mother (Nancy Hanks Lincoln) dies, at the 
age of 35. 

18 19 His father's second marriage, to Mrs. Sarah 
Johnston (Johnson), widow with three children. 

1828 Makes a trip to New Orleans and back, at work 
on a flat-boat. 



SONGS, STORIES, FACTS 159 

1830 February and March. Lincoln family remove to 
Macon (not Ma^on) County, Illinois; log-house, 
near Decatur, on the Sangamon River. 
Abraham of age, works independently; makes 
3,000 fence rails under contract. 

183 1 May. Makes another fiat-boat trip to New 
Orleans and back, on which trip he first sees 
negroes shackled together in chains, and forms his 
opinions concerning slavery. 

Begins work in a store at New Salem, 111. 

1832 Lincoln's first political address. 

Enlists in the Black Hawk War ; elected a captain 
of volunteers. 

1833 Storekeeper, Postmaster, Surveyor, at New Salem. 

1834 Elected to State Legislature. 

1835 Death of Lincoln's betrothed. Miss Ann (or 
Anne) Rutledge, at New Salem. Lincoln deeply 
grieved. 

1836 to 1842. Reelected to the Legislature. 

1837 Studies law in Springfield and forms law partner- 
ship with John T. Stuart. 

1842 November 4. Marries Mary Todd. 
1846 Elected to Congress. 

1848 Declines reelection to Congress. 

1849 Returns to Springfield to widen his law practice. 
Engages in this until 1854. 

1851 January 17. Thomas Lincoln (Abraham's father) 
dies in Coles County, Illinois. 

1854 Lincoln's family now consisted of three sons (one 
had died in his infancy) ; his law practice 
remunerative. 

1855 Debates with Douglas at Peoria and Springfield. 
Elected to State Legislature ; resigns to seek U. S. 
Senatorship, but defeated by Douglas, is reelected. 

jg^^ r Aids in organizing Republican party. 



leO LINCOLN DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

1858 Joint debates in Illinois with Stephen A. Douglas. 

1859 Makes political speeches in Ohio, Kansas, etc. 
i860 February. Lincoln tours New England; visits 

New York, and speaks at Cooper Institute, being 

introduced by W. C. Bryant. 

March 16-18. Chicago Republican Convention. 

Unanimously nominated for President; Hannibal 

Hamlin, Vice-President. 

November 6. Elected President over J. C. 

Breckenridge, Stephen A. Douglas, and John Bell. 

1861 March 4. Inaugurated President (the sixteenth). 
April 15. Issues first order for troops to put down 
the Rebellion. 

1862 February. President Lincoln's son Willie dies in 
the White House. 

March. The President as acting Commander-in- 
chief overrules General McClellan and Council of 
War as to immediate forward movement. 
July 2. Calls for 300,000 three-years troops. 
August 4. Calls for 300,000 men, special, nine 
months. 

1863 January i. Issues the Emancipation Proclama- 
tion. 

July 1-4. Victories for the Union armies. Battle 

of Gettysburg, Pa. ; defeat for General Lee's 

Army. Vicksburg captured by General Grant. 

Lincoln thanks Grant for the capture. 

September 17. Calls for 300,000 three-years 

troops. 

November 19. His address at Gettysburg. 

1864 February. Calls for 500,000 volunteers. 
Renominated and reelected President. 

1865 March 4. Lincoln inaugurated, the second term. 
April 14. The President assassinated by J. Wilkes 
Booth, at Washington. He dies the next morning. 
May 4. Burial at Springfield, 111. 



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